Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection for right thumb, back, deviated septum, and right lower extremity radiculopathy conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lumbosacral strain and radiculopathies in both hips and legs.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of November 1, 2021, for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for PTSD. The other claims were denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability, neck disability, left leg radiculopathy, left arm radiculopathy, and right arm radiculopathy to correct a duty to assist error.

The Board remands the claims for further development and adjudication, including obtaining additional evidence and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination and medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder.

The Board granted service connection for right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected cervical spine DDD, and increased the rating of post concussive headache associated with TBI to 50 percent effective August 20, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, and a cervical spine disability. A 40 percent rating was granted for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board denied an increased rating for the lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, IVDS and herniated disc but granted increased ratings of 20 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral and sciatic nerves) and remanded service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, now rated as degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis and joint disease of the lower thoracic spine.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), right hip radicular pain, and left hip radicular pain to ensure that due process is followed and there is a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claims.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus and headaches, due to a duty-to-assist error regarding VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or that the condition is related to service.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain based on the Veteran's statements and a private medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the need for regular aid and attendance, thus granting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance status.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and remanded the claims for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, low back disorder, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a TDIU and earlier effective dates for service connection of various disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support entitlement to these benefits.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of January 14, 2011, for the award of service connection for mild lumbar retrolisthesis but remanded the issue of a higher initial disability rating.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled examinations.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal regarding severance of service connection for right and left lower sciatic radiculopathy and an increased rating for lumbosacral DDD during a hearing, and these issues are dismissed.