Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis as there was no evidence of a current disability that began during service or is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar scoliosis, but remanded the claims for degenerative arthritis of the spine, IVDS, and degenerative disc disease, left hip disability, right hip disability, and left leg radiculopathy.

The Board granted a 20% rating for the Veteran's back condition, restored from a previous reduction, and granted service connection for migraine headaches.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's back disability, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, femoral nerve radiculopathy, and left knee instability while granting a 10% rating for sciatic nerve radiculopathy from January 24, 2019, to August 30, 2019, and a 20% rating for left knee disability with instability beginning on that date. The Board also granted an initial 100% rating for major depressive disorder (MDD) effective February 5, 2021.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his acquired psychiatric disorder did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent, his neck condition did not warrant an initial rating in excess of 20 percent, and his restless leg syndrome was not related to service.

The Board granted readjudication of the service connection claims for various conditions based on new and relevant evidence, but remanded several claims for further development.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective May 6, 2024.

The Board remands the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder due to missing initial treatment records that could provide insight into symptom onset and history.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings for right shoulder degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative arthritis were denied. An effective date of April 23, 2021, was granted for the award of a 100 percent evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, to include osteoarthritis, and an effective date of April 20, 2017, but not earlier, for the award of service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder and alcohol/stimulant use disorder, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, right knee disability (degenerative arthritis), and right knee surgical scars. The issues of a low back disability, right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, left knee disability, shin splints, right foot disability, and right ankle disability were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a deviated nasal septum and obstructive sleep apnea, but remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, right knee condition, low back pain, and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability due to deficiencies in previous nexus opinions and outstanding records.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased rating due to untimely filings or lack of proper forms.

The Board denied an increased rating for lumbar degenerative arthritis and remanded claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and an increased rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted restoration of the 70% evaluation for PTSD and the 40% evaluation for thoracolumbar spine disorder, effective August 1, 2021, while denying an increased rating in excess of 70% for PTSD and 40% for thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions appealed.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during its pendency.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and a new VA examination.