Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis to cure a pre-decisional duty to assist error and address additional evidence.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for hiatal hernia and lumbosacral strain as the current VA examinations are found to be inadequate for rating purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease (DJD) L5-S1 with strain lumbar spine and spinal stenosis is rated at 40 percent, effective from September 14, 2021.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left sciatic nerve radiculopathy and remanded the claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine disability due to inadequate examination.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and depression (secondary to a service-connected TBI) but denied service connection for left ankle strain, right shoulder strain, rhinitis, and sinusitis.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for back, knee, and radiculopathy disabilities as well as obstructive sleep apnea due to a need for new VA examinations.

The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right little finger disability, back disability, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for neck disability due to cervical spine surgery as a pre-decisional duty to assist error has been identified.

The Veteran's GERD was granted a 60 percent disability rating, and the June 15, 2020 VA Form 10182 for service connection claims was accepted as timely due to good cause shown.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a cervical spine condition, low back condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, right ankle condition, right hip condition, urinary frequency, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to obtain additional evidence.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to a need for additional evidence through VA examinations.

The appeal of the duty to assist error identified in the November 2023 rating decision is dismissed, and the rating reduction from 10 percent to 20 percent for the service-connected back disability was improper, with restoration granted.

The Board denied service connection for face swelling due to wisdom teeth removal, a deviated nasal septum, sleep apnea, and a low back disability as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board granted an effective date of June 22, 2022, for the award of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a 50 percent disability rating for this condition. The claim for PTSD was denied as there was no new and relevant evidence to support readjudication. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability was granted based on credible reports from the Veteran.

The Board remands the claims for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and a prison intake physical examination report.

The Board granted an initial 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and a TDIU effective April 11, 2023.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation prior to October 18, 2024.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining addendum nexus opinions and verifying reported stressor events.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's neck disability prior to June 20, 2018, and separate evaluations for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy prior to January 7, 2016.