Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain residuals and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, were found to preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The appeal for service connection for multiple conditions has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board remands the claim for a lower back disability to obtain an adequate medical opinion on direct and secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for an anxiety disorder, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and scar(s) of the neck. The rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain was also denied.

The Board granted increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and restored a 10 percent rating for a painful scar. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board remands the claims for a lower back disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain to ensure that due process is followed and there is a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claim.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability and tinnitus due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of increased disability evaluations for PTSD and lumbosacral spine strain with IVDS to correct an error by the AOJ.

The Board granted service connection for pes planus and back disability, denied an initial compensable rating for FSAD, and remanded several other claims.

The Board granted the reinstatement of a 20% rating for lumbosacral strain, granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability on a secondary basis, and denied service connection for a left knee disability. The other claims were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye condition, to include diabetic retinopathy; diabetes mellitus, type II, as secondary to service-connected disabilities with obesity as an intermediate step; and headaches, to include as secondary to tinnitus. The claims for left knee strain, right knee strain, and lumbar degenerative disc disease were remanded.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back condition and granted a 10 percent rating for residuals of pilonidal cyst removal, to include scar.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection claims related to allergic rhinitis, migraines, right knee condition, and back condition.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for dental abscesses and gingivitis, as well as a back disability, to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and remanded the claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with sacroiliac injury and weakness due to a pre-decisional error in the duty to assist.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to correct duty-to-assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disability, and a right knee disability due to procedural errors in scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for an anxiety disorder due to insufficient evidence of a current disability and no nexus to service. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.