Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, as well as a 20% rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis. The claims for increased ratings for upper extremity radiculopathy were denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions due to predecisional duty to assist errors, including scheduling VA examinations.

The appeal for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is dismissed as the claim was granted in a January 2024 rating decision. The right shoulder disorder issue is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for sinusitis and remanded the remaining service connection claims to correct a duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, tinnitus, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle tendonitis. The claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and headache disorder were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, liver cirrhosis, interstitial cystitis, liver cancer, and sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for a thoracolumbar spine disability and left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence supporting current diagnoses.

The Board granted service connection for a lower back condition and a gastrointestinal condition, but denied an earlier effective date and higher rating for tinnitus. The claims for other conditions were either reopened or remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, sleep apnea, and chronic sinusitis prior to August 10, 2022, as these claims were granted in full by a September 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings and service connection, resulting in the dismissal of all appeals.

The Board granted ratings for several knee and back conditions, including a 10 percent rating for left knee instability from June 12, 2006, to May 31, 2023, and a 20 percent rating for right sciatic radiculopathy and left sciatic radiculopathy starting January 28, 2025.

The Veteran's depressive disorder alone rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and she is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, cervical spine disability, and sciatic nerve conditions of both lower extremities as there was no evidence to support that these disabilities were related to his military service.

The Board remands the matter for a new VA opinion to address the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and provide retrospective estimates of functional loss.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, status post lumbar surgery, and associated radiculopathies of the lower extremities, as well as painful scars due to lower back surgery, effective July 17, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and remanded other claims for further development.

The Board remands the claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for DDD of the lumbar spine prior to April 12, 2022, due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the condition without medication and missing private treatment records.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for low back, neck, and right shoulder disabilities, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, to obtain a new medical opinion and additional evidence.

The Board granted service connection for a low back condition, finding that it was caused by the Veteran's service-connected right knee condition.

The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for a lumbosacral strain is dismissed due to the untimely filing of the necessary forms.