Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his unspecified depressive disorder and lumbar spine disorder, have been found to meet the criteria for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and a 70 percent rating for his depressive disorder. The lumbar spine disorder claim is remanded.

The Board remands the claims for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain due to deficiencies in the VA examinations.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and a bilateral eye condition. The back, bilateral hip, hypertension, GERD, migraine disorder, penile condition, and sleep apnea claims were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative disc disease, service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a TDIU due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with DDD, finding a link between the Veteran's condition and his military service.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches and denied an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with herniated discs, and ratings in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right knee tendinitis and patella femoral pain syndrome, as well as compensable ratings for right hip iliopsoas tendinitis with limitation of flexion, extension, and abduction.

The Board granted service connection for right ankle right lateral collateral ligament sprain (chronic/recurrent) and posterior tibial tendonitis, but denied a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. Several claims for service connection were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher rating for major depressive disorder, and service connection for impotence of organic origin as secondary to degenerative joint disease of the left ankle.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and coronary artery disease (CAD) based on in-service exposure to high G-forces as a fighter pilot or due to in-service hyperlipidemia.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and a C-section scar, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings for knee conditions and neck/low back conditions were remanded.

The Board denied a compensable rating for hearing loss and left eyebrow laceration, remanded an effective date prior to April 23, 2018, for the award of service connection for left femoral nerve radiculopathy, and considered other issues including service connection for a neck disability (secondary) and ratings for various conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left shin splints, granted service connection for CFS, and denied increased ratings for ankle and back disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus on a presumptive basis and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for lumbar spine condition and medial tibial stress syndrome, right were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and various ratings in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, and left ulnar tunnel syndrome. However, a 20 percent rating was granted for the left ulnar tunnel syndrome.

The Board granted an evaluation of 40 percent for the service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, 20 percent for the left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and 40 percent for the status-post arthroscopy for adhesive capsulitis & debridement of partial labral tear (right shoulder) from June 2, 2021, to January 28, 2024.

The Board granted service connection for low back condition, neck condition, right arm epicondylitis, and a disability characterized by vertigo, nausea, and loss of balance.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for IBS but granted an effective date of October 13, 2006, for lumbosacral strain. The issues related to initial ratings and TDIU were remanded.