Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

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 denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding no evidence linking his craniocerebral blunt force trauma or lumbar spine condition to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine, neck, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, have resulted in a need for regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation at the (l) rate.

The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed, while the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities were granted. The other claims were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and right hand arthritis. The claims for lumbosacral strain, gastroenteritis, and thyroid eye disease were remanded for further development.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection of lumbosacral strain, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review this issue.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability as the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's condition was due to an event, injury, or disease in service.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for thoracolumbar strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervicothoracic pain, hypoesthesia and paresthesia of both upper extremities, lumbar spine disability, PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, and traumatic brain injury due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for chronic mycotic infection of the bilateral feet, post-traumatic residual pain and discoloration of the right big toenail, and a disability manifested by low back pain. The Board also denied an initial rating greater than 30 percent prior to January 3, 2025, for PTSD and a disability rating greater than 10 percent for left hand strain, status-post injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as for special monthly compensation (SMC) and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to duty-to-assist errors that occurred prior to the June 2023 rating decision.

The Board remands the claims for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression, as further development is needed.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and an effective date of January 11, 2021, for service connection of right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board restored service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder, granted a 70 percent rating for the condition, and also granted service connection for lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and TDIU, as well as a claim for SMC.

The Board remands the claim for an adequate examination and medical opinion to determine whether the appellant's thoracolumbar spine disability is related to her military service or any of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for a left thumb disability, right thumb disability, low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The claims for service connection for PTSD, a back disorder, and a left hip disorder are remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a left elbow condition, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities as secondary to lumbosacral strain, and increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).