Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for tinnitus, denied service connection for anus restriction as secondary to a service-connected disability, and denied increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. The claims for service connection for right knee strain with osteoarthritis as secondary to service-connected disabilities and TDIU were remanded.

The appeals for increased ratings of the Veteran's conditions were dismissed from the modernized review system due to a procedural defect.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus and remanded claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder as there was no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions or a causal relationship between the Veteran's active service and his claimed disorders.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to address the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of lumbar spondylosis to obtain a supplemental medical opinion addressing whether the condition was aggravated beyond its natural progression by military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted the Veteran's application to readjudicate the claim for service connection for a low back disability, but remanded it for further action by the AOJ.

The appeals for service connection for a back disability and left shoulder disability were withdrawn by the Veteran before the Board promulgated a decision.

The Board remands the claims for a lumbar spine disorder and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for sensorineural hearing loss and remanded the claim for a back disability for further development.

The Board granted readjudication of the back condition claim based on new and relevant evidence, denied service connection for headaches, and remanded claims for chest pain and bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back and lower extremity radiculopathy conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.

The Board remands the service connection claims for various conditions due to outstanding VA and SSA records and a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis effective January 11, 2016.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine, DDD of the lumbar spine and lumbosacral strain, and lateral collateral ligament sprain of the right ankle based on a finding that these conditions are due to an injury during service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for a digestive disability.

The Board remands the claims for a pre-decisional hearing to satisfy the Veteran's right to notice of his hearing rights.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right knee disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and residuals of a head injury to verify periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA and obtain new VA medical opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings for various service-connected conditions, including lumbar strain, plantar fasciitis, pes cavus, tinea versicolor, right shoulder strain, and tinnitus.