Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher rating than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome, finding the evidence supports only a 20 percent rating. The Board remanded claims for cervical strain service connection, higher ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU eligibility due to duty to assist errors and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board granted the application to readjudicate the claim of service connection for Diabetes Mellitus II (DM II) and assigned an effective date of June 24, 2022, but no earlier. The claims for earlier effective dates for other conditions were denied.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a compensable rating for surgical scars associated with spinal fusion of the lumbar spine, but granted an effective date of March 28, 2022, for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and ED, denied service connection for obesity and bilateral hearing loss, and granted ratings of 20 percent or less for various lower extremity radiculopathies and right hand strains.

The Board granted increased ratings of 30 percent for GERD and 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, effective from the date of the October 2023 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back, left knee, and right knee disabilities as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current disability levels.

The Board denied service connection for a migraine or headache disability and various joint disabilities as there is no evidence of the claimed conditions during service or since separation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for a lung disability and lumbar spine disability based on clear and unmistakable error in a March 1995 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including ankle, foot, back, and various musculoskeletal issues due to the lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's condition had onset in service.

The Board denied service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, granted it for unspecified anxiety disorder, and denied it for lumbar spine osteoarthritis and a skin disability.

The Veteran's right hand condition is granted service connection, and an effective date of August 14, 2020, is assigned for the back condition. The claims for tinnitus, a higher rating for the back condition, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, except for tinnitus which was granted.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 20, 2001, for the award of service connection for left foot bunion, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the matters for further development, specifically to obtain a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability and ensure full compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right knee disability and related conditions, to ensure proper development of the record.

The Board remands the matter for the Veteran to submit a missing letter from her former chiropractor.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for cervical spine disability from April 25, 2006, and a 40 percent rating for low back disability for the entire appeal period. The Veteran was also granted earlier effective dates of December 13, 2004, for service connection of radiculopathy in both upper and lower extremities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left ankle disability, ratings in excess of 10 percent for various left knee disabilities, and an initial compensable rating for a lumbar disability due to insufficient evidence.