Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, but remanded the claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition and an upper back condition due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disability and remanded claims for low back, neck, headaches, and skin disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left hip, right hip, right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

All appeals for ratings in excess of the current ratings or service connection were dismissed due to impermissible concurrent elections.

The appeal of the proposed reduction in the disability rating for lumbosacral strain was dismissed as it was premature, and a compensable disability rating for telogen effluvium (claimed as hair loss) was denied.

The Board remands the claims for hernia repair residuals, lumbar spine arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to deficiencies in the March 2022 VA examination reports.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as a scar on her right knee. However, it denied earlier effective dates for her back and right knee conditions.

The Board granted effective dates of April 15, 2020, for service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral ankle sprain, and lumbar strain with IVDS.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during its pendency.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death and entitlement to DIC benefits due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his death.

The Board remands the claim for a lumbar spine disability to schedule a VA examination due to the need for an opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's in-service back pain and his current degenerative lumbar spondylosis.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the back disability prior to November 3, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between the current condition and his military service. The low back disability claim was remanded for further development.

The Board denied initial disability ratings in excess of the assigned percentages for various conditions, granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a 10 percent rating for dry eye syndrome, and remanded several claims for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for asthma and a lumbar spine disorder, including lumbar disc disease, as additional evidence needs to be considered through VA examinations.

The Board granted increased ratings of 50 percent for the service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability and 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, but remanded a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, to include PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome and shin splints, right knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome and shin splints, lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.