Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and a back disability (other than stooped posture) as it is less likely than not that these conditions began during or were otherwise caused by the Veteran's active service.

The Board remands the claims for a lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathies to obtain additional information regarding the qualifications of the VA examiner who addressed the Veteran's disabilities in January 2025.

The Board remands the claim for a low back disability to obtain additional medical opinions and consider new evidence.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and depressive disorder, granted a 40 percent rating for arthritis of the lumbar spine (claimed as lower back condition), and denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition, finding no current disability. The thoracolumbar spine condition was remanded due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board remands the claim for a higher rating for the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine to schedule a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, back condition, sleep apnea, and right foot condition as the evidence did not support a finding of an in-service incurrence or nexus to service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for higher initial ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease and right shoulder strain/sprain due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it is related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for lumbar spine strain and intervertebral disc syndrome due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board remands the claims for service connection of various musculoskeletal disabilities and entitlement to specially adapting housing benefits due to a need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the awards of service connection and TDIU was dismissed due to a final Board decision in December 2021.

The Board granted the appellant's eligibility for direct payment of attorney fees based on an earlier effective date for right ankle disability, but denied it for back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted new and relevant evidence for the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and right knee pain. The claims for a cervical spine disability, head injury, headaches, lumbar spine arthritis, and right hip arthritis were denied.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea, a lumbar spine disability, and a cervical spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for abdominal, lower back, and right shoulder disabilities, as well as an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and a right index finger strain.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, including shoulder, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, wrist, and ankle conditions, due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's back disorder is attributable to military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety, and the claims for service connection and higher ratings were dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various disabilities, including thoracolumbar strain, cervical strain, and others. The claims were not granted.