Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, IVDS, and spinal stenosis, as well as secondary service connection for left leg radiculopathy, right leg radiculopathy, and depressive disorder. The claim for headaches was remanded.

The appeal for a compensable initial rating for erectile dysfunction was withdrawn, and several claims for service connection were denied. Additionally, the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for various conditions and ratings for his disabilities were also denied.

The Board remands the service connection claim for lumbar strain to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and arthritis, right knee, left knee, right toe, and hair loss. The claims for a cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, and right toe hallux valgus were denied.

The Board granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, unspecified mood disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as alcohol use disorder. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disabilities, bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, digestive disabilities including irritable bowel syndrome with abdominal pain and nausea, pelvic organ disabilities, iron deficiency anemia, and genital herpes. Service connection was denied for acne, tendonitis, fibromyalgia, painful joints, left shin splints, right shin splints, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, respiratory infection, GERD, PTSD, anxiety condition, manic-depressive reaction, and psychiatric disorder other than unspecified depressive disorder with symptoms of suicidal ideation. An initial 50% rating was granted for the service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck and back disability, finding no evidence to support a nexus between the claimed in-service injuries and current disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee conditions due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and headaches, among others. Sleep apnea was granted.

The Board granted service connection for a neck disability and denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbosacral strain. The claims for increased ratings were remanded.

The appeal was granted as the Veteran's September 2, 2022 Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review, VA Form 20-0996, was timely.

The Board granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, cephalgia/chronic headaches, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, lumbosacral strain, thoracic segmental dysfunction, and lumbar spine disc syndrome. A 30 percent rating was assigned for cervical strain.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, to include residuals, lumbar surgery, as the appeal was not timely filed.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder, which is linked to the Veteran's service-connected migraines. The claims for lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, left hip strain, and right hip strain were remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for a left hip, right hip, diabetes mellitus type II, headache disorder, and thoracic spine disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions but denied an initial compensable rating for Bell's Palsy (right side) and a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain to address duty to assist errors and obtain a new medical opinion.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 40 percent rating and service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, restored the 50 percent rating for migraines, and denied increased ratings for knee strain and shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis.

The Board remands the claim for an increased evaluation of lumbar spondylolisthesis due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence, requiring a new VA examination.

The Board remands the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's ability to perform daily activities.