Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, periodic leg movement disorder, and a higher rating for thoracolumbar spondylosis.

The Board granted service connection for chronic sinusitis and recurrent left biceps tendon rupture residuals, assigned a 10 percent rating for inguinal hernia residuals, and remanded several other claims.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for chronic lumbosacral strain and service connection for cervical, left ankle, right ankle, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions to ensure compliance with due process.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, and related left and right lower extremity neurological disabilities based on evidence establishing the Veteran's current conditions are linked to an injury sustained during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in 1978.

The Board remands the matter for further development and an adequate medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's back condition, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected left thigh disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shin splints, denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic rhinitis, granted entitlement to a TDIU prior to July 6, 2018, and remanded several issues including service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy, increased ratings for PTSD with TBI, back disability, neck disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, to include thoracic compression fracture, as the condition clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not aggravated beyond natural progression.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral spine strain, and remanded several other issues related to hip trochanteric pain syndrome, cervical strain, and upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's back disability prior to February 11, 2021.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, entitlement to TDIU, and SMC due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board remands the case for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed lower back disability.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine condition.

The Board remands the appeal for an additional medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar strain disability, specifically addressing pain and other factors that may significantly impact functional ability during flare-ups prior to April 13, 2023.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy from July 31, 2015 to September 17, 2024, but denied an increased rating for the lumbar spine disability and left knee disability.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for a prostate disorder, bilateral eye disorder, dermatophytosis, and denied service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board remands the claims for additional development, including obtaining new VA medical opinions, to address the inadequacies of previous examinations and ensure a proper assessment of the Veteran's neck and back conditions.

The Board granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding it related to the Veteran's service. The other claims for service connection were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claim for a low back disability to the AOJ for additional development, including obtaining a new medical opinion and any missing treatment records.

The Board remands the appeal to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding missing treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for traumatic brain injury, an acquired psychiatric disability, a neck disability, a back disability, and right and left knee disabilities as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active military service.