Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a low back disorder, left and right hip disorders, as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation by a service-connected disability. The claims were also denied on a presumptive basis.

The appeal for service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral ankle pain, foot pain, hip pain, knee pain, low back pain, and sciatica, has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative.

The Board grants service connection for a cervical spine disability, which the Veteran claims as an upper back disability.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lower lumbar spine degenerative arthritis based on the Veteran's continuous symptoms since service.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her in-service injury.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and a rating in excess of 70 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder with alcohol use disorder. The left shoulder strain with subacromial bursitis was remanded.

The Board granted the restoration of a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar back disorder and denied an increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, while remanding the claim for a higher rating for the lumbar back disorder.

The veteran was granted a disability rating of 40 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease prior to December 17, 2020, and initial ratings of 20 percent for neuritis and neuralgia for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims for higher ratings were denied.

The Board remands the claims for a low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy to ensure adequate medical opinions are obtained.

The Board remands the claim for a lower back disability to correct a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error by obtaining an adequate medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for obesity and remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and low back disorder due to inadequate medical examinations.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a low back condition due to pre-decisional errors in the prior VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, to include as secondary to a left ankle disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, back disability, and headaches to cure pre-decisional errors in VA's duty to assist the Veteran.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain prior to October 26, 2016, but granted a 20 percent rating from that date. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a separate rating for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise the December 2018 rating decision that reduced her disability rating for a lumbosacral strain, as there was no clear and unmistakable error.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for low back pain, left knee pain, right knee pain, and a respiratory condition due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability, as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or a relationship between the disability and service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and dismissed claims, with some issues remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar thoracic degenerative joint disease based on the current level of disability and the evidence of record.