Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, limitation of motion of ring or little finger, lumbosacral strain, and pain disorder (alcohol use disorder) was dismissed due to an untimely Notice of Disagreement.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine and sciatic nerve disabilities, granted a 30 percent rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with scoliosis and TDIU, as additional evidence is needed to address muscle spasms and effects on range of motion during flare-ups.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder for additional development, specifically an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals remands the claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine (back) disorder, right hip disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to deficiencies in the previous decision and a duty to assist error.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a low back disorder prior to August 14, 2014 and entitlement to TDIU prior to November 12, 2018 due to insufficient evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for hypertension and denied service connection for degenerative arthritis and spondylosis of the lumbar spine. The issue regarding muscle pain, including pain of the neck, left trapezius, and left shoulder, was remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a low back disability, neck disability, and related secondary conditions, due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine and a rating in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity prior to June 3, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, to include degenerative disc disease, as the evidence did not support a nexus between the current condition and the Veteran's military service.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for lumbar strain, right knee replacement, right knee scar, and degenerative arthritis of the left knee for further development.

The Board denied service connection for all seven conditions as there was no evidence that any of the claimed disabilities were incurred in or caused by the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain and granted an effective date of November 5, 2007, but no earlier, for TDIU.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a back disability, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities. Hearing loss claims were denied.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period. The claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and thoracolumbar spine pain were remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and a higher rating for tinnitus, and remanded several issues related to his PTSD with major depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability and a right knee disability, but denied service connection for left foot hallux valgus.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of GERD and verification of Persian Gulf veteran status.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and anterolisthesis of L5 over S1, and ratings in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis with limited flexion and painful motion, and right knee degenerative arthritis with instability due to the failure to request relevant medical records.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbosacral spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.