Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The appeal for service connection for a thyroid condition and a bilateral foot condition (claimed as cold weather flatfoot) was dismissed due to a prohibited concurrent election. The appeal for right ear hearing loss was denied.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disability to obtain outstanding medical records and a new opinion.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, cervical stenosis of the spine, acid reflux, erectile dysfunction, and chronic hemorrhoids. The remaining claims for degenerative joint disease in various parts of the body were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and lumbar strain, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The veteran withdrew all appeals for service connection of various conditions, including right ankle strain, chin scar, left hip strain, and others.

The Board denied service connection for all the claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability or that any of the claimed disabilities were related to active military service.

The Board granted initial ratings of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain and 20 percent for right and left knee strains, while denying increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, seizure disability, headaches, and lumbar spine disability as secondary to seizure disability due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied entitlement to a higher disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis and remanded several other claims related to the veteran's knees, ankles, hips, and spine.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these appeals.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted revision of the January 2007 rating decision based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) to reflect a 10 percent disability rating for service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain, effective March 30, 2004.

The Board granted an effective date of November 15, 2020, for the award of a 40 percent evaluation for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and earlier effective dates, as well as remanded certain issues.

The Board reinstated the 100% rating for service-connected colon cancer and granted special monthly compensation at the rate authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s), effective February 1, 2024.

The Board granted an effective date of August 9, 2021, for the award of service connection for lumbosacral spine disability and radiculopathy of both lower extremities but denied earlier effective dates.

The Board remands the claims for readjudication and further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the severity of the appellant's service-connected disabilities and associated symptoms over time.

The Board remands the matter for an additional medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back condition.

The Board remands the claim for a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as additional development is necessary.

The Board remands the claim for a back condition to obtain an adequate medical examination and ensure all relevant records are considered.