Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis with IVDS and strain, lumbar spine and bronchitis with emphysema as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right knee strain, and right knee instability.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the claims for right knee, cervical spine (neck), and low back disabilities due to a need for further evidence.

The Board remands the claims for a back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left and right hip disabilities to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left shoulder, right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error by scheduling VA examinations.

The appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, L3-4 through L5-S1 is dismissed as moot. The application to readjudicate the claim for entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability remains denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and a low back disability, secondary to a right hip disability. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for persistent depressive disorder, as well as other issues, was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and a right knee disability, finding no evidence of a medical link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with degenerative disc disease, as well as remanded claims related to individual unemployability and an earlier effective date.

The appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew the issue in January 2025.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and right knee strain, but denied an evaluation greater than 0 percent for allergic rhinitis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review the appeal.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease/intervertebral disc disease (muscle pain) for the entire period on appeal.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back condition, and bilateral knee conditions as further development is necessary.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, left and right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, bilateral hearing loss, and migraine headaches were dismissed due to lack of response within 60 days of the Board's request for clarification regarding his preferred docket.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain/degenerative arthritis of the spine as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected shin splints.

The Board remands the claim for an increased rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease to obtain a more comprehensive VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between the current condition and active military service.