Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding a nexus between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current diagnosis.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, arthritis of the bilateral knees, a back disability, and a bilateral rotator cuff disability based on credible evidence supporting in-service stressors and symptoms.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection for high cholesterol and other conditions.,The Board denied service connection for high cholesterol and other conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for a low back disability as moot, since the RO had already granted service connection with an effective date of August 8, 2022.

The Board granted service connection for mild broad-based disc bulge L4-L5 resulting in mild central canal stenosis pain of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy, but denied service connection for restless leg syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for diverticulitis, and an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for seborrheic dermatitis, dermatitis, and tinea versicolor.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for low back condition and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to provide the Veteran with a thorough medical examination.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee disorder, GERD, and IBS as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted, while other claims for increased ratings were denied or partially granted.

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and a 30 percent rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease with spinal fusion, while remanding the claims for right arm radiculopathy, left arm radiculopathy, left shoulder disability, and left ankle disability.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and denied service connection for sleep apnea and a low back condition.

The Board remands the claim for a lumbar spine disability to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's condition, as the previous opinion was found inadequate.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied a compensable disability rating for hypertension. Several issues related to increased ratings were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder strain as secondary to a service-connected disability and sinusitis, but denied an increased evaluation for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the lumbar spine.

The Board granted service connection for COPD from August 10, 2022, under the PACT Act and remanded other claims for further development.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and higher ratings, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions due to a duty to assist error, as the Veteran was unable to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic fatigue syndrome, as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting the regulatory threshold for VA purposes. The claims for lumbosacral strain, left hip strain, right hip strain, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an upper back disability and remanded the claims for a cervical spine and low back disability for further development.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with strain and radiculopathy, right lower extremity as secondary to the lumbar condition.

The Board granted readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for right and left shoulder, right and left hip, bilateral hearing loss, gastrointestinal, bilateral kidney, and urinary disorders based on new and relevant evidence. Service connection was also granted for sinusitis with an earlier effective date. The claim for a peripheral vestibular disorder (claimed as vertigo) was denied.