Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the matter to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and increased rating claims, effective March 14, 2025.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder and elbow injuries due to a lack of evidence linking them to the Veteran's military service, and remanded the claim for lumbar spine injury for further development.

The Board remands the claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board remands the matter for a retrospective opinion to assess the severity of the Veteran's low back disability from August 26, 2009, considering lay evidence and medication effects.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury, lumbar spine strain, and limitations of extension and flexion in both knees with arthritis, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for the low-back condition and 50 percent for sinusitis, while denying increased ratings for the right-shoulder strain and service connection for left-leg radiculopathy, right-leg radiculopathy, and headache condition.

The Board granted an effective date of August 30, 2016 for the award of service connection for left lumbar radiculopathy and a 40 percent rating for lumbar degenerative joint disease to include lumbar spondylosis from that date. The claims for increased ratings for right elbow conditions were denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to inadequate medical evidence and opinions.

The Board remands the case to obtain outstanding medical records for a more accurate initial rating of the Veteran's service-connected back condition.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability but granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The decision also denied a compensable rating for the veteran's left inguinal hernia.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis, a left knee condition, a lumbosacral spine condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board dismissed all claims for higher initial ratings and service connection, as the Veteran requested a higher-level review of these issues in May 2024 but then appealed to the Board in August 2024, leading to concurrent review which is not allowed.

The Board granted service connection for left knee posttraumatic degenerative arthritis, bilateral shin splints, and lumbar strain. A 20 percent initial rating was assigned for hemorrhoids.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, to include lumbar spondylosis; residuals of prostate carcinoma (claimed as prostate cancer); and increased ratings for degenerative changes with meniscal tear of the right knee and sinusitis. The Veteran's combined disability evaluation was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including high cholesterol, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as a compensable rating for acne vulgaris and migraine.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, as additional evidence is needed.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disorder and cervical spine disorder due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an earlier effective date and higher initial ratings for service-connected low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.