Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to higher initial disability ratings for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as a higher rating for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to May 9, 2016.

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

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar disc herniation with spondylosis prior to October 19, 2020 and a rating in excess of 40 percent from that date.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine disability prior to April 19, 2022, and a rating in excess of 40 percent from April 19, 2022, to the present.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and lumbar strain to obtain additional evidence, including medical records from her incarceration and potentially relevant private treatment records.

The Board granted service connection for thoracolumbar spondylosis with degenerative joint disease and remanded claims for internal derangement of the left knee with meniscectomy, bilateral pes planus, arthritis of the shoulders, elbows, hands and fingers, legs, diabetes mellitus, hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as well as a claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a compensable rating for his tooth condition, dismissed service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ, and remanded several other issues including TDIU, respiratory disability, bilateral hands disability, and nerve damage.

The Board remands the claim for a low back condition to obtain an addendum opinion regarding its etiology, as the previous VA examination was found inadequate.

The Board granted restoration of a 40% rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, awarded SMC at a half step, and remanded several issues including increased ratings for the back disability and radiculopathies.

The Board denied the claims for service connection and initial ratings, as well as remanded several other issues for further development.

The Board granted service connection for low back condition and left lumbar radicular pain, but dismissed claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, left knee joint pain, deviated septum, sinusitis, hearing loss, vertigo, and left foot condition. An initial 10 percent rating was granted for irritable colon syndrome.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back condition to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis of the thoracolumbar spine and a compensable rating for unspecified headache.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, myofascial pain syndrome, a back disability, and a neck disability as new and relevant evidence had not been submitted. The claims were remanded for further action regarding groin pain, fibromyalgia, and TDIU.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left knee, low back, left hip, right hip, and acquired psychiatric disorders to obtain a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a rating greater than 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the spine, as well as entitlement to TDIU.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left hip disability, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including hypertension, right ankle sprain, conjunctival inclusion cyst, and others, as there was no evidence of current disability during or near the period on appeal.

The Board dismissed the claims for earlier effective dates and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood and sleep disorder, headaches, and degenerative disc disease.