Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected kyphosis of the thoracolumbar spine for further development, specifically to determine if the Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with lower extremity radiculopathy is aggravated by his service-connected kyphosis.

The Board granted service connection for liver cancer but denied or dismissed claims for lumbar spine, left hip, right hip conditions and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board remands the claim for a rating more than 20 percent for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and retroactive payments, and remanded the claims for higher initial disability ratings.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition was related to an injury sustained during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in September 2014. The other claims were remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran has withdrawn the appeals for all service connection and rating issues.

The Board denied earlier effective dates and higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, granted initial 20 percent ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, and remanded claims for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability, high blood pressure, type II diabetes, and left ear hearing loss to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and higher ratings for various disabilities, as well as remanded several issues for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) claimed as low back pain, pain and dysfunction right wrist, and bilateral plantar fasciitis to verify the Veteran's duty dates and obtain a more accurate medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine strain, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity disabilities, and dizziness as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, IVDS, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis, as well as a separate compensable rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, but remanded the other issues for further development.

The Board remands the matters for further development, including new examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee and low back disorders, as well as a new examination to assess the current severity of her right knee disability.

The Board remands the issues of an earlier effective date for service connection, a higher initial rating for PTSD, and TDIU to allow for issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding no evidence to support a causal relationship between the claimed condition and active service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and prostate cancer as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by the Veteran's active military service.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and foot disability as there is no evidence to support that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for back, left knee, left ankle, and left foot disorders to obtain an opinion that addresses the Veteran's reports of continuous symptoms since service and his duties as a parachutist.