Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spine strain, lumbar spine strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board restored the 20 percent ratings for thoracolumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting femoral and sciatic nerves, denied service connection for GERD and IBS, and remanded the claim for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claim for a lumbosacral intervertebral disc syndrome and strain as additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the disability.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, but granted a 40 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from November 28, 1988, to September 22, 2011.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, as well as a reopened claim for tinnitus, among other issues.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal conditions of the back, elbows, knees, and feet, due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability from May 1, 2010 to February 10, 2020.

The Board granted service connection for a bilateral elbow disability and a back disability, finding that the evidence is nearly equal as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's toxic risk exposure activity (TERA) or aggravated by his service-connected headaches.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, spinal fusion of the lumbar spine with degenerative arthritis, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left ankle. The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted.

The Board remands the claim for an adequate VA examination and to obtain private treatment records, as well as to address the Veteran's allegations of clear and unmistakable error in a prior rating decision.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to a back injury sustained during ACDUTRA in September 1988.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back and right knee disorder due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve and denied ratings in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and bulging disc of the lumbar spine (lumbosacral strain with IVDS) and a disability rating higher than 70 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for lumbar strain, cervical strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for headaches, chronic sinusitis, a psychiatric disability, lumbosacral strain, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, based on the Veteran's credible lay statements and medical evidence.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left knee disability to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for upper back condition (also claimed as a cervical and neck condition), mid back condition, headaches, and right ankle condition based on the evidence of record.

The claims for service connection for shin splints of the left and right legs, sinusitis, thoracic and lumbar spine strain, and cervical spine disability are remanded for further development.