Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The appeal was dismissed as the proposed rating reductions were not final and appealable actions.

The appeal for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied, while the service connection claim for hypotension was remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for evaluations in excess of the assigned ratings and service connection claims.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence is at least equally balanced in favor of a relationship to an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 70 percent for the service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but remanded other issues for further development.

The Board denied several claims for increased ratings and service connection, but granted some reductions in rating that were improperly made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities, while severe, do not render him unable to obtain or maintain a gainful occupation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased initial ratings and service connection, effective November 18, 2019.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and IVDS, left hip osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board granted service connection for rotator cuff tendonitis of the left shoulder, right knee strain, right ankle strain, and sinusitis. The appeal was denied for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic lumbar spine sprain associated with degenerative arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board remands the claims for a VA examination to address service connection and rating issues.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for low back condition and neck/upper back as further development is needed to obtain an adequate VA opinion.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease to obtain additional evidence and clarify certain aspects of the Veteran's medical history.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, except for a right hand 5th finger Depuytren's contracture, which was granted an initial 10 percent rating.

The Board remands the claims for entitlement to service connection for a back disability and a left knee disability due to deficiencies in the VA examiner's opinions.

The Board is remanding the appeal for a new VA examination to address the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain due to an internally inconsistent November 2020 VA examination report.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection for a low back condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition.

The Board granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot hallux valgus, and left foot hallux valgus. Service connection was also granted for the low back condition and a right shoulder condition. However, the claims for a neck condition and right hip condition were denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, and a gynecological disorder to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disability to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as relevant treatment records were not obtained.