Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection and rating issues, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disorder and neck disorder due to a duty to assist error in developing the claims.

The Board granted the reinstatement of a 30 percent rating for chronic urticaria, denied ratings in excess of 30 percent for chronic urticaria and other conditions, and granted TDIU and SMC.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left foot, back, and right and left shoulder disabilities to allow for further development of the record.

The Board denied service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease and dismissed the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as there was no justiciable case or controversy.

The Board remands the claims for a lower back disorder and obstructive sleep apnea to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right hip disability, left hip disability, and lumbar spine disability to obtain an adequate examination with opinion.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a rating greater than 20 percent for lumbosacral radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and an initial rating greater than 10 percent for incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a neck disability and an initial 50 percent rating, but not higher, prior to September 7, 2021, for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. The remaining claims were denied or remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, while remanding claims for other conditions including the neck, knees, leg pain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and pes planus.

The Board remands the claims for further development to ensure that VA substantially complies with its duty to assist the Veteran.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability and service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, secondary to a low back disability.

The Board granted service connection for left and right knee strains, as well as a lumbosacral spine disability, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hip early osteoarthrosis. The initial rating of 40 percent was assigned for the lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board remands the claims for a thoracolumbar spine disability and a bilateral foot disability for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, while remanding claims for Crohn's disease, arthritis rheumatoid and psoriatic, and psoriasis.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these disabilities and the Veteran's active service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for lumbosacral strain and unspecified depressive disorder as the VA agency of original jurisdiction had already granted these claims.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for cervical spine strain and lumbosacral strain, effective February 7, 2022, as the reduction in ratings was not proper. The Board also remanded entitlement to higher ratings for both conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current left knee disability was incurred during verified combat service. The claims for right knee, bilateral hip and lower back conditions were remanded for further development.