Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted restoration of the 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain and denied an increased rating in excess of 40 percent. The claims for service connection for a thoracic back condition and TDIU were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis under the PACT Act and remanded other claims for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and chronic bronchitis, but granted service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.,The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and sinusitis. The claims for hypertension, gout (left foot/toe, right foot/toe, left ankle, right ankle), and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded for further development.

The Board denied an increased disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with IVDS, as the evidence did not show that the condition more nearly approximated forward flexion at 30 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine; or IVDS with incapacitating episodes of any duration.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for GERD, left knee disability, right knee disability, and lumbosacral spine disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the claim for a thoracolumbar spine disability to the AOJ for an addendum medical opinion.

The appeal for a higher disability rating for the degenerative lumbosacral spine condition was dismissed as it pertains to an implementation of a previous Board decision, which is not appealable.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back condition, to include any related radiculopathy, due to missing service treatment records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board granted service connection for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine as proximately due to changes in gait resulting from the Veteran's service connected left ankle and right knee disabilities.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, while denying increased ratings for IVDS with lumbosacral strain and remanding an issue related to total disability based on individual unemployability.

The appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions was denied due to an untimely notice of disagreement.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals remands the claims for service connection for headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), lumbar spine disability, left shoulder strain disability, right ankle disability, and right wrist disability for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve involvement and remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches and a low back condition, restored the 30 percent rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with Baker's cyst disability, and remanded several other claims.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for shortness of breath, endocarditis, lipoma, and skin cancer as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The claim for peripheral arterial disease was denied due to a lack of evidence supporting a current diagnosis. Service connection for a back condition was also denied due to insufficient evidence linking it to service.

The Board granted service connection for trochanteric pain syndrome of bilateral hips, bilateral ankle sprain, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of bilateral knees. The remaining claims were denied.

The Board denied service connection for right and left hip, knee disorders, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD), but granted an effective date of November 27, 2023 for a separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities to allow for further development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, broken teeth, scar to chin, and infection, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active military service.

The Board granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's status post right and left knee replacements, as well as a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.