Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The appeal for service connection and higher ratings was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, lumbar spine condition (pain and dysfunction), left lower extremity radicular pain & paresthesia, right lower extremity radicular pain & paresthesia, and pain of the right knee. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board remands the issues for further development and adjudication, including obtaining outstanding medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Board remands the claim for a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as the VA examiners' opinions relied on erroneous information and did not address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his post-service symptoms.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 30 percent rating for migraines, but denied earlier effective dates and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, left femoral nerve radiculopathy, right femoral nerve radiculopathy, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for a back condition and a neck condition, but remanded the claims for a right knee condition and sinusitis.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities from November 2, 2006, but denied a higher rating for lumbar spine strain with mild osteoarthritis and mild stenosis. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from November 2, 2006.

The Board denied the claims for increased ratings for left and right knee DJD based on instability, as well as lumbar spine DDD, due to insufficient evidence of moderate or severe instability.

The Board remands the claims for higher evaluations of lumbar spine disability and sciatica of the right leg to provide an adequate examination that considers the ameliorative effects of medication with regard to range of motion.

The Board remands the claim for a higher initial disability rating than 20 percent for the low back disability from October 14, 2011, to correct a duty to assist error.

The Board denied increased ratings for asthma with COPD, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left and right knee disabilities, and left and right ankle disabilities. However, TDIU was granted.

The Board denied disability ratings in excess of the current 20 percent for degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine post laminectomy, 20 percent for residuals of a fractured right clavicle, 10 percent for right knee chondromalacia, and 10 percent for residuals of a right wrist fracture.

The Board granted restoration of the 30 percent rating for left eye optic atrophy with visual defects and denied increased ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions, including hips, back, shoulders, and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, cervical strain, chronic sinusitis, and lumbosacral strain due to a procedural error in the Veteran's appeal. The claim for a migraine or headache condition was remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, a 70 percent initial rating for PTSD since July 1, 2014, and a 10 percent rating for TMJ with bruxism. The remaining claims were denied.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back injury to the RO for initial consideration of new and relevant evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, liver condition, and hearing loss. The claims for increased evaluations were also denied, as was the request for TDIU.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, and denied the claims for a neck condition, traumatic brain injury, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, hypertension, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including a right shoulder disability, right elbow disability, lumbar spine disability, allergic rhinitis, respiratory disability (claimed as bilateral lungs condition), gastrointestinal disability (claimed as stomach condition), and erectile dysfunction.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and right knee disorder to afford the Veteran VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.