Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted initial ratings of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine, and 10 percent for left hip femoral acetabular impingement syndrome (both impairment and limitation of extension), as well as an initial rating of 10 percent for hypertension. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied.

The Board remands the claim for a supplemental medical opinion to consider the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and special monthly compensation, as well as DEA benefits, due to no evidence of a claim being filed within one year of separation from service.

The Board remands the service connection claims for a back disorder and hypertension due to an inadequate VA opinion.

The Board granted an initial 70 percent rating for persistent depressive disorder and a 50 percent rating for tension headaches, effective from May 29, 2019. The claims for earlier effective dates were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition preexisted his active service and was not aggravated by it.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased initial rating for a service-connected back disability.

The veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection of various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and bilateral ankle sprain.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the Veteran's awards of service connection, finding that the claims were not submitted within one year of a valid intent to file.

The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including cervical strain, left and right forearm nerve pain, bilateral shoulder disabilities, low back disability, and other related conditions.

The appeals for service connection for a low back disability and PTSD are dismissed as the issues have already been granted.

The Board granted service connection for rhinitis, right hip strain, and left ankle strain but dismissed the claim for sinusitis as moot. The increased rating claim for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was denied.

The Board remands the claim for a back disability to obtain an adequate medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's condition.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for thoracic degenerative disc disease, maintaining the 20 percent rating assigned since April 8, 2024.

The veteran has withdrawn the appeal for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome, heartburn/indigestion, and lumbosacral or cervical strain.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's back disability and a 50 percent rating for his migraine headaches, effective July 24, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board granted service connection for left sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia of the left leg, right sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia of the right leg, and sleep apnea. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for a right knee disability was dismissed, and the appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability was also dismissed.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial evaluation of various conditions as the December 2021 VA Form 10182 was not filed timely.

The Board granted service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and remanded the claims for PTSD, chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disability.