Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded several service connection claims.

The Board granted service connection for the residuals of breast reduction surgery and remanded the back condition claim due to a need for additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, sciatic nerve disorders of the left and right lower extremities (secondary to a lumbar spine disorder), and a psychiatric disorder.

The Board granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) but denied increased ratings for low back strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder to obtain another medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, sleep apnea, prostate cancer, urinary incontinence, residuals of gallbladder removal, gout, low back disability, and a TDIU prior to April 20, 2023.

The Board remands the claims for lumbosacral strain and obstructive sleep apnea to obtain new medical opinions as the previous ones were found inadequate.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome (lumbar condition), and left knee injury as there was no evidence to support a current disability related to an in-service injury or event.

The case is being remanded to the AOJ for further development, specifically to readjudicate the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain prior to September 12, 2024, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for hypoglycemia and increased ratings for low back and right lower extremity disabilities. However, it granted a 20 percent rating for the low back disability before July 18, 2018.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, as additional development is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted an increased initial 20 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain based on the evidence of record and the application of the relevant criteria.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability. Additionally, the Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for her mood disorder with depressive features.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal to readjudicate her claim for service connection for a back disability, as new and relevant evidence had not been received.

The appeal was dismissed due to untimely filing and lack of good cause for the delay.

The Board remands the claim for a back disorder to obtain an addendum opinion that fully addresses the evidence of record, including lay reports regarding continuity of symptoms and a statement from the Veteran's chiropractor.

The Board granted service connection for asthma prior to August 10, 2022, and as of that date under the PACT Act. The claims for other disabilities were remanded.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, with herniation, to ensure a more adequate examination is conducted.