Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lower back disability and associated post-surgical scar due to a need for additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral knee disabilities as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diverticulosis, atrial fibrillation, cerebral infarction, COPD, benign prostatic hyperplasia, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with compression wedging at T9-10, both prior to and after January 11, 2023.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for a scar on the left elbow and remanded claims for irritable bowel syndrome, upper back/neck disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right hand disorder, and left hand disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a scar on the lumbar spine.

The appeal for an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent prior to November 20, 2021 and higher than 40 percent from November 20, 2021 for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spondylosis of the thoracic spine was dismissed as withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and a right shoulder disability as there is no evidence of an in-service injury, disease or event that caused the disabilities, nor any evidence linking them to service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for lumbar spine disc disease with fusion residuals, chronic pain syndrome, and lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board denied entitlement to higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities, but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from April 22 to April 30, 2015.

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion addressing direct service connection for a low back disability.

The Board remands the claims for a lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy in the lower extremities due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and denied higher ratings for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, left leg radiculopathy, hemorrhoids, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board remands the claim for a low back disorder to obtain an addendum opinion addressing its etiology in accordance with a Joint Motion for Remand.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent evaluation for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and denied higher ratings for right and left knee conditions.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine and left knee conditions, restored the ratings for right hip acetabular fracture and bilateral hearing loss, and remanded evaluations for other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disability diagnosed as depressive disorder and a back disability (diagnosed as intervertebral disc syndrome), but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include an anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent from September 1, 2021, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include an anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent from September 1, 2021, but no more.