Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss. The claims for service connection for a neck condition, back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, right foot condition, and left foot condition were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for dizziness, multiple sclerosis, and a back disorder due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back condition.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee pain, right knee pain, right ankle pain, left ankle pain, and headaches as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was remanded due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 9, 2018, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left and right lumbar radiculopathy, and left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain.

The Board granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, which is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Vietnam. The claims for headaches and a lumbar spine disorder were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition, GERD, and low back condition as secondary to his service-connected left knee conditions.

The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain and denied an earlier effective date prior to August 16, 2022, for the assignment of a rating of 20 percent disabling for service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss but granted a 20% initial rating for lumbosacral strain, while denying higher ratings for right hip and hand disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for thoracolumbar spine strain with scoliosis, as the evidence did not support an increased rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board remands the claims for a new examination to properly determine the rating for the Veteran's back surgical scars and lumbar sprain, status post laminectomy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as service connection for various conditions.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's low back disability but granted ratings of 40 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, diagnosed as a lumbosacral strain and sciatica, based on the Veteran's consistent lay statements and evidence of record.

The Board granted an effective date of October 4, 2017, for the award of service connection for lumbar strain, lumbar lordosis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, posterior lumbar scar status post lumbar spinal fusion, and painful back scar.

The appeal for earlier effective dates for lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity sciatica was dismissed due to a procedural defect in the docketing of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left and right hip conditions, joint issues, and a back disability. The initial rating in excess of 0 percent for hypertension was also denied.

The Board granted service connection for multiple back, neck, and upper/lower extremity disabilities as well as depression. The TBI claim was denied.