Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder and non-compensable ratings for residuals of fractures to the right little and ring fingers. The claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, and degenerative disc disease was remanded.

The Board remands the claims for increased disability ratings and effective dates, as well as a TDIU claim, due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors in the VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded claims for service connection for a neck disability, back disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability.

The decision granted earlier effective dates for DEA benefits, TDIU, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ from August 1, 2018, but denied increased ratings for PTSD, ED, left knee degenerative arthritis with synovitis and chondromalacia, and other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability as the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current condition was related to his active service.

The appeal for service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine disorder is related to service.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to a need for additional medical evidence regarding the qualifications of examiners and the effects of pain medication on the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for a retrospective opinion on the severity of the Veteran's low back disability throughout the periods on appeal.

The Board granted the application to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for residuals of lumbosacral strain, status post-operative, but denied entitlement to service connection for the same condition.

The Board denied service connection for unspecified arthritis other than of the lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, and a heart disability as there was no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and dismissed appeals for left shoulder, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), left knee, neck, back, and right shoulder disabilities due to untimeliness of the appeal.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right knee degenerative changes, and left knee degenerative changes.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's statements and review of in-service and post-service medical history.

The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic arthritis of the right knee and denied service connection for a back disability, a right wrist disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The appeal was dismissed due to a concurrent election of review.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher disability evaluations and entitlement to TDIU and DEA benefits before October 13, 2022, due to a procedural defect in the Veteran's request for review.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of February 1, 2021, for the awards of service connection and secondary service connection for various disabilities.

The appeal for service connection for right knee strain iliotibial band friction syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was dismissed as moot due to a full grant of benefits.

The Board denied service connection for bone spurs, bilateral hearing loss, a low back condition, and plantar fasciitis as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis or a nexus to service. The claim for impingement syndrome, left shoulder, was dismissed due to lack of timely supplemental claim.

The Board granted an effective date of September 22, 2008, for the award of service connection for cervical strain with degenerative disc disease and right middle radicular group neurological impairment.