Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent for cervical strain and lumbosacral and thoracic strain, 30 percent for left foot plantar fasciitis and right foot plantar fasciitis, and 30 percent for vertigo. The TMD and psychiatric disorder claims were denied.

The Board remands the issues for new VA examinations to adequately address the Veteran's lumbar and left lower extremity radiculopathy conditions, as well as related claims for TDIU and special monthly compensation.

The Board remands the claims for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate medical evidence regarding the range of motion findings that were painful in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral spine DJD with intervertebral disc syndrome prior to February 25, 2022, due to an inadequate VA opinion.

The Board reopened the claim for service connection for pneumonia and bronchitis, but dismissed the claim for a lumbar spine disability. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy to schedule a VA examination.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder, to include generalized anxiety disorder, with PTSD; a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain, to include intervertebral disc syndrome, with degenerative arthritis (thoracolumbar spine disability); and initial ratings of 40 percent each for right sciatic radiculopathy and left sciatic radiculopathy. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome, a 20 percent rating or higher for the same condition, and any other initial ratings for the right knee disability under other Diagnostic Codes pertaining to the knee and leg. A 10 percent rating was granted for allergic rhinitis (claimed as chronic sinusitis).

The appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for sinusitis with headaches was dismissed due to untimely filing. The appeals for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, higher ratings, and service connection due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine strain with IVDS, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to the lumbar spine disability), and right and left knee disabilities on a direct basis.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, right lower extremity nerve damage, low back disability, and genital warts. The neck disability claim was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hypothyroidism and eligibility for specially adapted housing, but granted an earlier effective date of June 30, 2009, for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD). The claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was remanded.

The Board granted increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and unspecified anxiety disorder, effective September 30, 2021, while denying increased ratings for vertigo and chronic sinusitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and anxiety; hysterectomy; circulation issues in bilateral lower leg areas from knee and below; lumbosacral strain; and insomnia.

The Board granted a higher initial rating of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy effective December 2, 2019, but denied an earlier effective date prior to September 9, 2022, for the grant of a 20 percent rating for thoracolumbar degenerative disc and joint disease.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right knee, right hip, and low back disabilities to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia of both legs as secondary to the lumbosacral strain, but remanded the claim for left shoulder pain.

The Board denied a rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine and remanded service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder.