Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's low back, left knee, right knee, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities as there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board granted service connection for rectal scarring, rash, and discomfort due to an in-service sexual assault. The claims for other conditions were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the matter for a new VA examination to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, including whether there is any associated radiculopathy.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to May 4, 2016, and a 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity prior to January 2, 2015. The claims for higher ratings were denied in other periods.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including OSA, bilateral hearing loss, shoulder and spine disabilities, right foot disability, CAD, HTN, and gallbladder removal residuals.

The Board remands the case for further development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and a new VA examination to assess the nature and severity of the Veteran's back disability.

The Board remands the issues of increased ratings for a low back disability and entitlement to TDIU due to worsening symptoms.

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, residuals of fracture L-4, prior to October 21, 2009, for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, back disability, bilateral leg disability, bilateral hip disability, and radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a cervical spine disorder, as there was no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his active service.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, right leg amputation, left leg amputation, and back disorder due to the Veteran's passing and the Appellant's decision not to seek substitution before the Court.

The Veteran's disability rating for circumferential disc bulge L4-5 with central canal stenosis and chronic low back pain, status post L5-S1 laminectomy was increased to 50 percent, effective May 7, 2011. The Board also granted TDIU and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disorder, to include degenerative arthritis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor. Other claims were remanded.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance from May 25, 2022.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected migraine headaches and lumbosacral strain with arthritis, as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD and GERD, remanded claims related to degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left shoulder strain, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson's disease, self-inflicted scarring, dystonia, and TDIU.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar condition, to include spinal stenosis. The other issues were remanded.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a back disorder to afford the Veteran an appropriate VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disability, but denied service connection for a right hip disability and nerve damage as secondary to a back disability.

The Board remands the matter to obtain outstanding inpatient hospital records from July 1966 due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.