Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as his application for a special home adaptation grant. The claim for service connection for a low back condition was remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability and sciatic nerve disability, secondary to low back disability, as additional development of the record is necessary for proper adjudication.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for dry eye syndrome but remanded the claims for service connection for back, left shoulder, right shoulder, and respiratory conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder, low back condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain and a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left shoulder condition, but granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis prior to April 9, 2020, and from that date, but granted a separate noncompensable rating for ilioinguinal nerve neuralgia and a TDIU.

The Board remands several issues for further development, including service connection claims and increased rating claims for various disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise that the Veteran's lumbar disorder resulted from injuries sustained during active service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for entitlement to TDIU as already granted and denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for lumbar strain from February 6, 2021.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, secondary to a back condition, due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and sciatica of the left lower extremity as secondary to lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted increased ratings and earlier effective dates for several service-connected conditions, but denied an increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection and granted a 20 percent initial rating for degenerative disc disease, herniated nucleus pulposus lumbosacral spine.

The appeal for service connection for a back disability, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the evidence was in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's back disability manifested while in service and has continued to the present.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and he is eligible for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD and back disorder, granted an increased rating of 50% for migraine headaches from December 2, 2020, but denied increased ratings for left foot amputation and scars.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including TBI, psychiatric disabilities, cervical and lumbar spine issues, knee strains, shoulder and wrist conditions, and a ventral hernia. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation and the current presence of related disabilities.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral hip, knee, and shoulder conditions.

The appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection for meniscal tear, cruciate ligament with degenerative arthritis of the right leg, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, L5, and right knee instability was denied.