Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claim for a new examination to address the Veteran's sacroiliac joint degenerative arthritis, lumbar disc herniation L5-S1, and degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine disability due to an inadequate pre-decisional examination.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for lumbar spine disability to correct duty-to-assist errors, including incomplete medical records and an inadequate VA examination report.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, TBI, migraine headaches, asthma, lumbosacral strain, right leg stress fracture of tibia with shin splints and LCL sprain, and dyshidrotic eczema. However, it granted a 50 percent rating for migraines since April 13, 2021, an earlier effective date of May 6, 2020, but no earlier, for the 70 percent rating of PTSD; an earlier effective date of April 13, 2021, but no earlier, for the grant of service connection for TBI and the 50 percent rating of migraine headaches; and an earlier effective date of May 20, 2022, but no earlier, for the 30 percent rating of asthma.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for DDD with IVDS and spinal stenosis, granted a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and denied increased ratings for meniscal tear of the right knee and right knee strain based on limitation of extension.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to obtain additional evidence.

The Board remands the claim for a back disability, to include scoliosis, for further development and readjudication.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including skin cancer, GERD, arthritis, lung disability, sleep apnea, vertigo, tremors, and multiple types of radiculopathy. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for right knee limitation of flexion and back disability, service connection for diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, and periodontal disease. However, it granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety.

The claims for service connection for a right hip condition, low back condition, and left knee condition are remanded for further development.

The Board denied a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae and remanded service connection claims for hypertension and low back disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hepatitis C and related conditions as they are inextricably intertwined.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back pain, bilateral hip pain, and bilateral knee pain but denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine, right knee, and right ankle disabilities to cure pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection for urticaria, left shin splint, right shin splint, and low back strain due to a procedural defect in his concurrent election.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition and headaches for further development, specifically to obtain private medical records.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left foot condition, including Achilles tendon, left knee condition, and lower back pain (lower back condition) due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's back disability was denied an increased rating, but the ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were granted at 20 percent effective February 22, 2024. The Veteran was also granted a TDIU from May 26, 2021.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection for sleep apnea and lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee meniscal disability but denied increased ratings for other conditions including left and right knee tendonitis, right shoulder, low back, surgical scars, and hemorrhoids.