Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and lumbar sacral strain, left hip iliopsoas tendonitis, right hip iliopsoas tendonitis, right knee strain and patellofemoral pain syndrome, and migraine headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability. However, DMII was denied.

The appeal was denied due to the untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a foot condition, to include athlete's foot and tinea pedis, as well as radiculopathy of both lower extremities and spondylolisthesis due to insufficient evidence.

The Board grants an initial disability rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for the Veteran's low back disability.

The appeal for an increased rating claim for the low back disability is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, denied increased ratings for irritable bowel syndrome with GERD and allergic rhinitis, and remanded claims for increased ratings for a low back disability and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, and remanded claims for asthma, COPD, a low back condition, and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical evidence.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress (MDD) from January 13, 2020 to July 18, 2021, and a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due exclusively to service-connected MDD effective October 13, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for low back strain but granted readjudication of the claim for obstructive sleep apnea due to new and relevant evidence being submitted.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain, denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and eczema, and remanded claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and persistent depressive disorder dysthymia.

The appeal for service connection for multiple conditions was withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted service connection for prostate cancer and colon cancer, both related to the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The back condition was denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between the current disability and service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left knee disability to obtain additional VA addendum opinions.

The Board denied entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to June 16, 2010; 20 percent from June 16, 2010, to March 19, 2024; and 40 percent from March 20, 2024, for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for degenerative disc disease and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left shoulder disabilities due to the Veteran's refusal to attend VA examinations. The claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral foot conditions, and bronchitis were remanded.

The Board granted eligibility for the direct payment of attorney fees to the appellant from benefits resulting from the March 2024 grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee patella strain, right knee patella strain, left knee patella instability, and right knee patella instability, but denied such eligibility for a 50 percent rating for a right hip disorder status post total arthroplasty.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, bilateral pes planus, neck disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), and erectile dysfunction to correct an error by the AOJ to satisfy its duty to assist the claimant under 38 U.S.C. § 5103A.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and both lower extremity radiculopathies but denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.