Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, but granted a total rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities from July 1, 2007, to May 10, 2010.

The Board granted an initial 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain from January 12, 2017 to March 29, 2025, but denied a higher rating.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied a disability rating greater than 40 percent for post-surgical degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine but granted earlier effective dates for service connection of right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain from September 26, 2013, to February 21, 2017, and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent from February 22, 2017, to October 4, 2021.

The Board remands the claims for further development and readjudication.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's low back condition, but granted a 20 percent rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy impacting the sciatic nerves from July 11, 2010. The ratings for other conditions were also denied.

The Board remands the claim for a lower back disorder to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing whether it has been aggravated by a service-connected foot disability.

The appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities is dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board remands the claim for a lumbar spine disability to ensure compliance with prior remand directives and obtain an adequate addendum opinion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied entitlement to higher ratings for persistent depressive disorder, cervical spine disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for higher ratings for sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities and lumbosacral strain, as the earliest date VA received his intent to file a claim was November 30, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's in-service injury and subsequent continuous symptoms supported his claim.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar spine arthritis and cervical spine arthritis to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether in-service physical activity caused these disabilities.

The Board remands the claim for a lumbar spine disability to obtain an adequate medical opinion that addresses the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a right elbow disability. It also granted initial ratings of 30 percent for right hip strain painful motion, 20 percent for left hip strain with cam deformity, and 20 percent for right knee limitation of flexion.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, left ankle strain, left wrist disorder, right ankle strain, right hip strain, and erectile dysfunction associated with right knee derangement due to an improper concurrent election.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral spine strain from December 28, 2021, and granted service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to UTSRD and obstructive sleep apnea.