Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for a low back disability, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability, and a hernia.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for any of the conditions appealed.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for osteoarthritis and remanded a claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder.

The Board remands the claims for an increased initial rating for right knee and back disabilities, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate medical examinations and opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine spondylosis and anterolisthesis with degenerative disc disease, facet joint arthritis, and IVDS, as well as remanded claims for initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity sciatica.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining a new opinion addressing the nature and severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine strain during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral flat feet with plantar fasciitis and degenerative arthritis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, entitling him to special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate beginning December 23, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disorder and denied increased ratings for the lumbar spine disorder, except granted a 40% rating from January 10, 2019, to January 14, 2024, and a 20% rating for RLE radiculopathy. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Board remands the matter of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral musculoskeletal strain with degenerative changes has precluded substantially gainful employment since March 1, 2017.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, neck disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right ankle sprain, and left foot strain, as well as remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from September 5, 2017, precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder strain and lower back disability as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the current conditions were not shown to be related to military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, headaches, shoulder disorders, ankle disorders, hip disorders, lumbar disorder, and lower extremity radiculopathy, to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher. The claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right great toe scar were denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome and a rating in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and remanded the claims for left knee, right knee, hypertension, and GERD disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for GERD and a lumbar spine disability to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a right shoulder disability for further development.