Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted eligibility for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a February 2024 rating decision, as it pertains to awards of higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and bilateral hallux valgus. The appeal was denied with respect to service connection for bilateral lower sciatic radiculopathy.

The appeal was dismissed for issues related to the reduction in rating, increased ratings, and service connection, with some grants of 40% ratings for radiculopathy and TDIU.

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the service-connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, IVDS and a 50 percent rating for the right foot pes planus with right 5th tarsometatarsal joint arthritis combined with left foot plantar fasciitis from December 10, 2016.

The Board remands the claim for a low back condition to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's back condition is related to his in-service shoulder injury or service-connected shoulder condition.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings, finding that the Veteran's low back and hip disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Board granted an evaluation of 20 percent, but not higher, for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain from March 16, 2019.

The Board remands the Veteran's service connection claims for irritable bowel syndrome and lumbosacral strain to correct duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the case to obtain a VA opinion that properly addresses both prongs of secondary service connection for the Veteran's lower back condition.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the evidence is in at least a state of approximate balance as to whether these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date than August 24, 2010, for the award of service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity nerve condition, and left lower extremity nerve condition.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain to obtain additional evidence and an adequate medical opinion.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine as secondary to achilles tendinopathy of the left foot.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and earlier effective dates for several service-connected conditions, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board remands the claims for a low back disorder and headaches to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, right and left shoulder acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis to obtain medical opinions under 38 U.S.C. § 1168 regarding toxic exposure risk activities during service in Southwest Asia.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for tinnitus to September 23, 2020 and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, GERD, hypothyroidism, neck disability, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and osteoarthritis.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, low back, and sleep disabilities due to missing service treatment records.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's lower/upper back disorder is related to service, considering the evidence of record and the Veteran's lay statements.