Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted restoration of the 30% rating for chronic sinusitis, migraine headaches, and dermatitis of earlobes. The claim for a higher rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease with esophagitis and helicobacter pylori was denied.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease with left lower extremity radiculopathy, as additional evidence needs to be obtained.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar strain status post lumbosacral fusion based on the evidence showing in-service onset and ongoing symptoms.

The Board denied various claims for increased ratings and service connection, including those for PTSD (with TBI), headaches, left elbow fracture with limitation of flexion, left elbow post-operative scar (painful), right 3rd finger fracture, bilateral hearing loss, left elbow scar, right ankle sprain to include right shin splint, erectile dysfunction, right hand disability, and low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability as the evidence did not support a finding that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied higher ratings for the veteran's right knee, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities but granted a 40 percent rating prior to December 27, 2017, for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a TDIU as of July 18, 2022.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, effective from August 6, 2021.

The appeal for service connection for a low back disability was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement.

The appeal seeking revision or reversal of the March 27, 2007, rating decisions that denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a low back condition is dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, but remanded the claims for right knee, left knee, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinea pedis and onychomycosis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for migraines, a neck disorder, and a back disorder to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for a lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and atrial fibrillation to schedule VA examinations as additional evidence suggests more severe symptoms than initially reported.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back condition, and remanded claims for bilateral knee disability, neck disability, and bilateral shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and PTSD due to a lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or that the conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right hips, a left shoulder disability, a lumbar spine disability, and bilateral lumbar radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbar spine disability.

The Board granted an effective date of November 12, 2013, for the award of service connection for radiculopathy in both lower extremities and right knee chondromalacia, as well as a 40% rating for the lumbar spine disability.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, including degenerative arthritis and chronic back pain, due to incomplete evidence.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD with adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, but denied higher ratings for the residuals of a stab wound to the stomach and service connection for gallbladder removal and overactive bladder as secondary to the stab wound. The degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was remanded.