Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The appeal for service connection for COPD, a right hand disability, and a left hand disability was denied. The appeal for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was dismissed. Service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease with dextroscoliosis, and invertebral disc disease (IVDS), as well as knee instability, was granted with specific ratings.,The Veteran's right hand disability is not related to service.,The Veteran's left hand disability is not related to service.,The appeal for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been dismissed.,A 40 percent rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease with dextroscoliosis, and invertebral disc disease (IVDS), was granted from February 22, 2022. A 20 percent rating for right knee instability and left knee instability was granted from March 7, 2021.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and a thoracolumbar spine disability was dismissed due to a claims processing error, while the appeal for sinusitis was denied. The Veteran's initial rating for mild restrictive lung disease (RLD) was granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for medial plantar nerve neuropathy of the left foot, denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis and an initial compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis, and remanded claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a lumbar spine disability, and a right knee disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities to correct a duty to assist error.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition, left leg condition, and right leg condition due to an inadequate VA medical opinion.

The Board remands the case for an additional VA examination to assess the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, in accordance with legal requirements.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; left knee disability; right knee disability; thoracolumbar spine disability; sleep apnea; and left foot disability. The claims for fibromyalgia and a compensable rating for hearing loss were denied.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, as it was not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, a lower back disability, and high blood pressure for further development.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for lumbar disc disease due to inadequate medical examinations.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, left hip disability, and neck disability, all to include bursitis and arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for lumbar spine DDD from January 1, 2025.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, to include mild degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the L2-L3 vertebrae and degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disability to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The appeal for initial rating and service connection for various conditions has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher disability ratings, as well as denied a compensable rating for left and right hip strains with impairment.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination and medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's back disorder, including scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, is etiologically related to active-duty service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability and right knee disability to obtain an addendum opinion that adequately considers the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service injury and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, assigned a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder from September 13, 2016, to September 25, 2017, and denied other claims.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including headaches, tinnitus, cervical degenerative disc disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and others, as there was no evidence of an in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury relating to these disabilities.