Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for a low back disorder, to include lumbar spondylosis and sacralization of the L5, as well as radiculopathy in both lower extremities secondary to the low back disorder. The left and right hip disorders were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a knee disability and back disability as the evidence did not support an in-service incurrence or aggravation of these disabilities, nor was there a nexus to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating for tinnitus or a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was also denied as there was no current diagnosis of PTSD or other mental health condition.

The Board granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that it was secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease and no credible evidence linking the current condition to military service.

The Board remands all the issues for further development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and providing additional forms to the Veteran.

The Board remands the matter of entitlement to service connection for a low back condition, characterized as congenital sacralization of the lumbar spine, due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's lumbosacral strain and segmental and somatic dysfunction of the thoracic lumbar pelvic sacral region were caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee tendonitis.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings of right knee, lumbar spine, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the severity of these conditions absent the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back condition and right hip condition as further development is needed to obtain adequate medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis with thoracic spine pain and readjudicated the claims for cervical spine and back disabilities, but denied service connection for cervical spine disability, left thigh disability, and right shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of a back disability, finding that August 2, 2023, is the earliest date assignable by law.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a neck disability and back pain due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals remands the claims for service connection for recurrent lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a pre-decisional error in verifying the Veteran's periods of active duty.

The Board granted service connection for multiple osteoarthritis conditions, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and gout based on the evidence showing a relationship to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied a rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD and remanded the claims for service connection for headache and back disabilities, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and earlier effective date claims, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board remands the claim for a higher disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with thoracic and lumbar strain to obtain additional medical evidence regarding the Veteran's range of motion during flare-ups or following repeated use over time.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for headaches and denied an increased initial disability rating for right ankle degenerative arthritis, while remanding the claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability.

The appeal for service connection for a low back disability is granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence, but the matter will be remanded for further adjudication on the merits.