Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction, service connection for a low back disorder, and earlier effective dates for TDIU, DEA eligibility, and SMC at the housebound rate.

The appeal for service connection for a cervical strain is dismissed, while the other claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with postoperative meniscal tear was granted an increased rating from 10 percent to 40 percent, but no higher, effective May 18, 2016. Other claims were denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and lumbosacral strain to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the disabilities were not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain and service connection for antral gastritis, as there was no evidence to support that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for a lower back disability, concluding that the Veteran's current condition is related to injuries and physical stresses sustained during his military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability and sciatica due to a duty to assist error, requiring an adequate medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as well as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and burial benefits due to a lack of evidence linking the Veteran's death to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for a lumbar spine disability and associated right lower extremity radiculopathies to correct a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the May 2021 rating decision on appeal.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, irritable bowel syndrome, and hypertension as secondary to PTSD. The claims for service connection for GERD and migraines were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities, including left and right shoulder, knee, ankle, back, and headaches, as there was no evidence of these conditions manifesting in service or within one year of separation, and they were not otherwise attributable to service.

The appeal for initial disability ratings for various knee conditions and an adjustment disorder was withdrawn by the Veteran, leading to the dismissal of these claims. The Board granted a 50% rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine associated with left knee chondromalacia patella with limited flexion and a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and back disabilities as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of both lower extremities and remanded his claim for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and rating issues related to tinnitus, bilateral hips, bilateral knees, back, and neck disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, a right shoulder condition, a cervical strain, a lumbar strain, allergic rhinitis, TMJ with bruxism, ventral hernia, and ganglion cyst prior to March 24, 2020. However, it granted an initial 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus from February 7, 2021, a 30 percent rating for TMJ, and 20 percent ratings for ventral hernia and ganglion cyst.

The Board granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine based on new and relevant evidence, but denied service connection due to a lack of credible medical evidence linking the current disability to service.