Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome and foraminal stenosis, lumbar region was granted due to new and relevant evidence. The other claims were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and a higher initial disability rating, as well as the claim for special home adaptation.

The Veteran withdrew all pending claims, and the appeals for service connection and rating are dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for a right hip strain and a lower back condition, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all service connection claims.

The Board granted service connection for a low back condition, finding that the evidence is in at least approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's low back condition is related to her active military service.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and effective dates of May 19, 2011, for right and left lower extremity sciatica.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition, depression, anxiety, and insomnia as well as an increased rating claim for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance, and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and hypertension as there was no evidence of a current disability, in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury, and a nexus between the claimed in-service disease or injury and the present disease or injury.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and traumatic brain injury, but remanded several other claims related to the character of discharge and various medical conditions.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease spinal stenosis with intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical disk disease, finding that only the October 29, 2019, Fully Developed Claim is associated with the October 18, 2019, intent to file.

The Board granted service connection for chronic cervicothoracic pain, chronic low back pain, left radial ulnar radicular pain and paresthesia, and right sciatic radicular pain.

The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with major depressive disorder (MDD), effective July 10, 2021.

The Board determined that the severance of service connection for PTSD, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, radiculopathy, left lower extremity, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and tinnitus was proper due to clear and unmistakable error in the initial award.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine based on a positive nexus between the Veteran's back disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's back disability as the evidence did not support an increased rating.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee degenerative joint disease, and left thumb sprain. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for left knee instability.