Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease with spondylosis of the lumbar spine, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board remands the claim for an addendum opinion to consider the merits of the Veteran's service connection claim with the presumption of soundness in place.

The Board denied service connection for right and left thigh pain, right and left ankle pain, lumbosacral strain, right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and lymphedema of the lower extremities. The claim for service connection for right sciatica pain was remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, a lower back disability, a left shoulder disability, and a right shoulder disability as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's conditions without consideration of any ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, secondary to a service-connected right leg disability, based on the persuasive weight of the evidence supporting a finding that the Veteran's back disability is related to an antalgic gait caused by the service-connected right leg disability.

The Board remands the case for an aid and attendance examination to assess the Veteran's functional impairment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's low back condition, cervical spine degenerative changes, and PTSD with TBI, but granted a 10 percent rating for post-traumatic headaches. The Board also remanded service connection for a bilateral foot condition.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and PTSD, but granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination and nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine condition, to include degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, as the evidence demonstrated symptoms most closely approximating limitation of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, and radiculopathy in both lower extremities, as the severity of his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

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

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a back condition, as the VA examinations of record are incomplete and do not address whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have aggravated his back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, higher ratings for PTSD, and service connection for various conditions, while remanding several service connection claims.

The Board remands the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to May 31, 2022, and in excess of 40 percent therefrom for service-connected lumbar spine disability due to a duty to assist error.

The appeal for an effective date prior to April 7, 2023, for the grant of a 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease, IVDS, spinal fusion, and thoracolumbar spondylosis is dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for a back condition and a right shoulder condition, but remanded the left elbow condition for further development.

The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is dismissed, and the remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death before a decision could be made.