Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since December 18, 2009.

The Board denied an increased rating for tinnitus and remanded the claims for lumbar spine IVDS, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, service connection for a psychiatric disorder, and TDIU due to further development needed.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, finding continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a back disability to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chest tightness with shortness of breath, allergic rhinitis (claimed as congestion), and degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine. However, a 10 percent rating was granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective June 1, 2022, but denied a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with IVDS during the appeal period.

The Board denied a disability evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and denied an increased rating for right knee instability, while granting service connection for low back strain and sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and urinary bladder cancer, as well as scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for degenerative change of the lumbar spine with strain, hearing loss, and residuals of fractured right 5th metacarpal with right hand arthritis. The claims for service connection for vision loss, left shoulder pain and limited mobility, varicose veins, and TDIU were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating and TDIU due to service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, as the prior examination was found inadequate.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome as there was no competent evidence showing that the disability was caused or aggravated by service.

The Board granted an effective date of April 15, 2024 for the grant of service connection and increased ratings for radiculopathies of the upper and lower extremities, but denied earlier effective dates for cervical strain and thoracolumbar sprain.

The appeal was dismissed due to a claims processing error.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, AVM, eustachian tube dysfunction, thoracolumbar spine disability, and respiratory condition due to a duty to assist error.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to an inadequate VA medical opinion.

The Board remands the matter for a new examination to determine the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including testing range of motion and considering flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a cervical spine disability as there was no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the lumbosacral strain (lumbar spine disability) from October 18, 2019.

The Board granted an effective date of October 28, 2022, for the award of a separate rating for impairment of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity associated with service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea, as there was no evidence of a current disability or an in-service injury. The claims for hypertension, bilateral ankle disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded for further development.