Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and remanded the other claims for further development.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the assignment of ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support an earlier date than those assigned.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability based on the evidence showing that these conditions are causally related to the Veteran's active duty.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, left lower extremity nerve, lung, tinnitus, and vertigo disabilities as there was no evidence of a current disability or persistent symptoms during the pendency of the claim.

The Board granted an evaluation of 20 percent for bulging disc, lumbosacral strain, effective from May 16, 2023, to June 28, 2024, and denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for left and right leg radiculopathy, as well as for rhinitis and sinusitis.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain prior to January 5, 2023, and a 10 percent rating for migraine headaches. The claims for increased ratings for GERD and PTSD were denied.

The Board granted an evaluation of 20 percent for bulging disc, lumbosacral strain, effective from May 16, 2023, to June 28, 2024, and denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for left and right leg radiculopathy, as well as for rhinitis and sinusitis.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability and bilateral leg nerve damage, to include as secondary to a lumbosacral strain.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability to correct a duty of assist error.

The appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain and thoracic strain was denied, while other issues were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hypertension, service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The claims for service connection for left shoulder tendonitis, right shoulder pain, and lumbar spine disease were remanded.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and migraines, have prevented her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board remands the claim for an increased rating for a lumbar disability due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board remands the claims for a compensable evaluation for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain due to inadequate VA examinations.

The appeal for an increased rating for left hip, the claims for entitlement to an earlier effective date and an increased rating for right knee strain, and the appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left shoulder strain were dismissed. The claim for a 40 percent rating from June 24, 2021 for degenerative disc disease was granted.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for neck, low back, and bilateral foot conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and a compensable rating for tension headaches, while remanding the claims for left foot metatarsalgia and right foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied ratings in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine and 30 percent for chronic dorsal disc bulging in C5-C6 and C6-C7, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy associated with the low back disability.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for hypopigmented macules and denied service connection for hypercholesterolemia, while remanding several other claims for further development.