Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for a cervical strain, thoracolumbar strain, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress), and migraine headache disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's insomnia disorder, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher disability rating.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities and denied an increased rating for prostate cancer residuals. The appeal was dismissed or withdrawn for other claims.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) housebound status based on entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for his service-connected lumbar disorder.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, but denied higher ratings and increased initial ratings for other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral shoulder disability, and a lumbosacral disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board remands all claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and an insufficient VA examination.

The Board granted the service connection claim for lumbar degenerative arthritis with IVDS, stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and strain based on new and relevant evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic sinusitis, a back disability claimed as low back pain, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates, as well as service connection for a disability manifested by memory loss claimed as a neurobehavioral effect due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The appeal was granted for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder and the reduction in rating for migraine headaches. Other claims were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and remanded the claims for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, low back disability, right knee strain, right hip strain, and left hip strain due to a need for additional evidence.

The Board remands the claims for a higher disability rating for back condition, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and associated service-connected scar due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Board denied an increased initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, as the evidence did not show thoracolumbar spine forward flexion of 30 degrees or less, nor any favorable or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back condition and unspecified bladder, ear, leg, and sleep disturbance conditions.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 18, 2024, for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for a back condition, including degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, is dismissed due to lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

The appeal for service connection for right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, herniated disc, and lumbar radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot hammer toes with callousing and hallux valgus.