Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, cervical degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathies of the upper and lower extremities. A 30 percent rating was also granted for vertigo associated with TBI.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and separate ratings for left thigh neuritis of the external cutaneous nerve and left leg neuritis of the ilio-inguinal nerve due to a need for additional evidence.

The Board denied referral for an extraschedular rating and special monthly compensation for the Veteran's fibromyalgia and back disability, as well as aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and increased the initial disability rating to 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left shoulder arthritis, finding no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and remanded the claims for congestive heart failure with coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy, lumbar spine degenerative joint/disc disease, right lower extremity sciatic nerve condition, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve condition.

The Board remands the claim for a low back disability to correct duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the rating decision on appeal.

The Board granted service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis, left knee strain, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, and bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities as secondary to a service-connected right foot disability.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and Meniere's syndrome (vertigo) but remanded claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, a back disability, heart palpitations, and varicose veins.

The Board granted service connection for a lower back condition, finding that the Veteran's current lower back condition is related to her routine heavy lifting during service.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, a separate rating for occipital nerve impingement associated with cervical spine degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and GERD due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for chronic kidney disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected leukemia and remanded several other claims for further development.

The Board granted service connection for unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder and alcohol use disorder, but denied service connection for low back pain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and sleep apnea.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the right knee disability and a separate 20 percent rating for instability, while denying an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, and also granted service connection for left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy associated with his lumbar spine disability, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since March 20, 2014, and the Board granted an effective date of that date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle tendonitis, a rating greater than 10 percent for cystic acne, an initial compensable rating for scars associated with cystic acne, and various other conditions. The claims were either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantial, gainful employment, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of November 16, 2020, for the awards of service connection for cervical strain and left upper extremity radiculopathy, but denied earlier effective dates for other lower extremity conditions.