Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and an initial compensable rating for scars related to thoracolumbar spine surgery due to procedural errors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for arthritis, and other conditions due to insufficient evidence supporting their existence or relationship to military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for migraines and lumbosacral strain due to untimely appeals. The claims for knee degenerative arthritis, lower extremity radiculopathy, and chronic pain syndrome were denied as there was insufficient evidence linking them to active duty.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of low back strain to obtain a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's condition is related to her service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing mild thoracic scoliosis was not aggravated by his military service. The claim for a right hand disability is being remanded for further development.

The appeal for service connection for lumbosacral strain, PTSD, and a neck condition has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board vacated its November 30, 2023 decision and remanded several claims for further development.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and left knee disabilities, but denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Board denied service connection for left wrist, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back strain with degenerative disc disease, arthritis and also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability for further development, including a VA examination and opinion.

The Board remands the claims for further development to determine whether the Veteran manifested the functional equivalent of unfavorable ankylosis of his spine prior to February 28, 2022.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left lumbar radiculopathy prior to October 24, 2011, but denied entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board remands the veteran's claims for higher ratings for her lumbar spine and lower extremity disabilities to obtain private chiropractic treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, to include as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a rating more than 20 percent for a lumbar spine disorder for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion and a new VA examination.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of a 100 percent rating for acquired psychiatric disability and DEA, as well as higher ratings for tinnitus and service connection for various conditions due to lack of evidence supporting such claims.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability as the evidence did not show that the Veteran's current condition was related to his in-service complaint of back pain. The cervical neck disability claim was remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for low back arthritis and strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), and bilateral hearing loss. However, it granted an initial rating of 20 percent for bilateral cataracts.