Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted an initial evaluation not to exceed 30 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood for the period prior to August 8, 2023, but denied a higher rating since that date. The other service connection claims were remanded.

The appeal for service connection for lumbar disc disease was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of May 23, 2019, for the award of a 20 percent evaluation for degenerative disc disease and service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for a right-hand condition, anxiety, and migraine (headaches) and assigned noncompensable ratings for the Veteran's left hand disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right elbow condition, right shoulder condition, burn scar(s), low back condition, and TDIU were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, and lumbar laminectomy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for low back, left hip, and right hip conditions as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused post-service conditions.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD), status post spinal fusion as of January 8, 2021, but denied ratings in excess of the assigned levels for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease prior to September 26, 2018, due to an inadequate January 2017 VA examination.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's low back sprain beginning March 18, 2019, but denied ratings in excess of 10 and 20 percent at other times.

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to address evidence not considered in previous decisions.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an injury sustained during his active duty service.

The Board remands the claim for a back disorder to obtain a clarifying opinion as the current VA opinions are inadequate.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD, are rated at a total (100%) disability effective November 7, 2014.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a lower back condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a foot condition, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, back condition, and high blood pressure as the evidence did not support current disabilities or in-service incurrences.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with scoliosis, as there was no evidence showing forward flexion less than 30 degrees or ankylosis.

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder conditions, denied service connection for lumbar facet syndrome and right knee condition, and granted a 10 percent rating for left knee strain effective August 19, 2019.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral shin splints and denied service connection for tinnitus, while remanding claims for a back condition and sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, low back disability, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral shin splints to correct duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral feet condition and degenerative arthritis thoracolumbar spine due to inadequate VA examinations.