Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for headaches, GERD, a back disability, hemorrhoids, and an umbilical hernia as well as the claim for a compensable evaluation for canker sores due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine since March 2, 2012 for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and denied increased ratings for left and right knee instability, but granted an evaluation of 20 percent from April 9, 2012 for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the service-connected low back disability before September 18, 2020, and denied ratings in excess of 40 percent from that date. The claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity sciatica and right lower extremity radiculopathy were also denied.

The Board granted a separate evaluation for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the lumbar spine disability, but remanded issues related to an increased rating for the lumbar spine and service connection for a right hip disability.

The Board denied service connection for colon cancer, sleep apnea, and a heart condition. The low back disability was granted based on aggravation during service. TDIU prior to January 10, 2019, was also denied.

The Board remands the claim for a lumbar spine condition to correct duty to assist errors and schedule a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions as the evidence of record does not support a finding that any diagnosed condition is related to the Veteran's active duty service or to a service-connected disability.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain to obtain an adequate medical opinion.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for not timely submitting a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) within one year from the date of the mailing of an adverse decision.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine, as the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting the regulatory threshold for hearing loss benefits at any point during the appeal period.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for a low back condition and a right shoulder condition as secondary to the Veteran's already service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disorders due to a lack of adequate evidence and medical opinions.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of September 15, 2005, for the award of service connection for lumbar spine condition, left lumbar radiculopathy, and cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in actual loss of use of the lower extremities, thus granting eligibility for financial assistance to purchase an automobile or other conveyance.

The Board remands all service connection claims for further development, including new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board remands the claim for a low back condition to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have aggravated his low back disability.