Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for a nosebleed disability, to include epistaxis, and degenerative disc disease to include intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), but denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right middle trigger finger.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, lumbar spine, left hand nerve damage, right hand nerve damage, right lower extremity (RLE) nerve damage, and left lower extremity (LLE) nerve damage. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension prior to March 8, 2024, was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, lumbar spine, left hand nerve damage, right hand nerve damage, right lower extremity (RLE) nerve damage, and left lower extremity (LLE) nerve damage. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension prior to March 8, 2024, was also denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a back disability, right and left lower extremity peripheral nerve disabilities, a right foot disability, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for complete loss of sense of smell, an acquired psychiatric disability, a low back disability, a respiratory disability, and tinnitus to schedule VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for chronic sinusitis and a lumbar spine disorder, diagnosed as lumbar spinal stenosis.

The Board granted service connection for a left ankle condition, sleep apnea, lower back condition, and right hip condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, bilateral hallux valgus, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and right ankle calcaneal spur.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of arthritis were chronic during his active service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability and sciatica of both lower extremities, to include as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected foot and knee disabilities, due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board remands all claims for service connection to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining relevant VA and private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection for tinnitus, a left knee disability, a right knee disability, lumbosacral strain, and a neck condition.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left hip, right hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding notification of examination.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and sinusitis are service-connected due to exposure to fine particulate matter during her deployment.,The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is service-connected based on onset during active service.,The Veteran's left ankle condition is service-connected as it occurred during reserve service.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease, and hypertension based on the evidence being at least evenly balanced.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating, as well as remanded certain issues for further development.

The Board granted increased 20 percent disability ratings for the back, right knee, and left knee disabilities but denied a higher rating for bilateral pes planus and a compensable rating for the right anterior knee scar.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, cervical radiculopathy or peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and lumbar radiculopathy or sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities as there was no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his active military service.

The appeal for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle and erectile dysfunction was withdrawn by the Veteran, resulting in their dismissal. The claims for allergic rhinitis, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and migraine headaches are remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for an increased initial rating for a low back disability and radiculopathy, right and left lower extremities due to a need for additional evidence.