Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his back disability, as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and vestibular disability to schedule appropriate VA examinations.

The Board granted an increased rating of 50 percent for headaches and remanded the claims for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, lower right extremity radiculopathy, and lower left extremity radiculopathy.

The appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hemorrhoids, and a bilateral foot disability were dismissed. The Veteran's hypertension, anxiety disorder, lumbar spine disability, left hip disabilities, and TDIU claim did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral frostbite disability and a low back disability, finding no evidence of current diagnosed conditions related to the Veteran's active duty.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) but denied earlier effective dates for the cervical spine and left upper extremity radiculopathy claims, and remanded an increased rating claim for the cervical spine.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for headaches, dizziness, a low back disability, and PTSD due to procedural defects in the claims-processing rules.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and greater than 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and degenerative disc disease, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for stomach and bowel disabilities due to insufficient evidence of current disability.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability as the evidence did not show that it was related to his active-duty service.

The Board granted an increased rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, effective from December 13, 2023.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to service-connected MVP, DDD, and hypertension.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain and remanded the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity, radiculopathy, sciatic nerve.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and initial ratings due to a missing official military personnel file (OMPF) and service treatment records (STRs).

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and remanded the claims for service connection for breathing problems, back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and penile condition.

The Board remands the claims for a lumbar spine disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board remands the claim for a back condition to obtain a VA examination and service treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, and arthritis lumbar spine muscle strain as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied an effective date prior to September 16, 2014, for the restoration of a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected spondylolysis of lumbar spine with degenerative joint disease L4-5 and L5-S1.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, right shoulder strain, and left shoulder strain on a direct basis.