Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for right and left chronic achilles tendonitis, right and left hand rheumatoid arthritis, Steven Johnson Syndrome, and an initial rating of 70 percent for Other Specified Trauma and Stressor-related disorder. The back disability claim was denied.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and restored the benefits severed for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for chronic headaches and an initial evaluation of 20 percent, but no higher, for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), while denying service connection for dermatitis, tremors of the right hand, and other conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for chronic bronchitis and remanded claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome (lumbar spine disability) and erectile dysfunction.

The Board remands the service connection claim for a back disability to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of the claimed condition.

The Board remands the case for additional VA examinations to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The appeal for an increased disability rating of PTSD was withdrawn by the Veteran, and service connection for a back condition including degenerative arthritis, bilateral L5 spondylolysis, lumbar DDD, thoracic strain was denied due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, and he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to October 11, 2018, but denied higher ratings for his knee and spine conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a lower back condition based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's low back disability began during active service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disorders, including knee and lumbar spine conditions, due to inadequate medical opinions that fail to adequately separate out symptoms related to service-connected disabilities from nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, right knee disorder, tinnitus, and others, as the evidence did not support a finding of chronicity or etiology related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right shoulder degenerative changes, and sinusitis.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and lumbar strain, as the earliest pending claims were filed on July 20, 2009.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to correct pre-decisional errors in the duty to assist.

The Board remands the service connection claim for a back disability to ensure an appropriate examination is conducted.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, right hip disability, and migraines, with an initial rating of 50 percent for the migraines.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection and increased ratings for sciatic nerve radiculopathy and lumbar spine disability, except for a 40 percent rating from March 28, 2023.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, as well as service connection for various disabilities.