Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board restored the 70 percent evaluation for major depressive disorder, denied an increased rating, and remanded several other claims.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted a rating of 50 percent, but no more. Other claims for service connection were denied or remanded.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative joint disease and spondylolisthesis of the thoracolumbar spine and left shoulder rotator cuff tear with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning October 29, 2008, and the earlier effective date claims for service connection were either dismissed or remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, but remanded the claims for headaches and right knee disability for further development.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, including lumbar spondylosis with arthritis and scoliosis, to obtain an addendum medical opinion that adequately addresses the evidence of record.

The claims for service connection for left eye injury, glaucoma in the left eye associated with left eye injury, and lower back condition have been reopened. The claim for bilateral hearing condition has also been remanded.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the low back disability, left leg radiculopathy, and right leg radiculopathy for the entire period on appeal. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also granted prior to February 13, 2023.

The Board remands the claims for additional evidentiary development to address the Veteran's contentions regarding his low back, left hip, right hip, and lower extremity venous stasis diseases.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis to obtain additional treatment records.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, including intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and scoliosis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for lumbar spine stenosis from L2-L3 to L4-L5, as the evidence is at least evenly balanced that the additional disability was caused by fault of a VA provider during a November 18, 2010 examination.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and scoliosis, and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis based on the Veteran's credible lay statements and continued symptoms since service.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected back condition, right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy from March 6, 2017.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, a right knee disability, and a left knee disability as secondary to the right knee disability.

The appeal of the September 2024 denial of service connection for a right knee disability and a right shoulder disability is dismissed as these claims are now moot due to subsequent grants of service connection. The initial rating for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) was denied, while an initial rating of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was granted.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability and a 20 percent rating for left, right sciatic radiculopathy, and left, right femoral radiculopathy. The claims for increased ratings for left ankle and knee disabilities were denied.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, to include status post lumbar fusion surgery, degenerative disc disease, IVDS, and spinal stenosis, as the evidence did not support that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, left leg radiculopathy, right leg radiculopathy, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his active duty service.