Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, lumbar spine disability, and sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active military service or his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and DDD, as well as radiculopathy of both upper extremities and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities. However, the claim for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) was denied.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral foot, cervical spine, and bilateral hip disabilities but denied service connection for an eye disability, OSA, a sinus disability, and a nail condition. The Board also denied an increased rating for hearing loss and dismissed the TDIU claim.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis. The claim for hypertension was denied.

The appeal was granted for service connection of a back disability, an effective date of April 24, 2023, for hypertension and post-traumatic headaches ratings, and TDIU. The claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings, except for sinusitis which was granted a higher rating.

The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and granted an initial separate and compensable disability rating of 10 percent, and no higher, for vertigo secondary to tinnitus. Other claims were denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for back disability and pancreatitis with cholecystectomy to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral foot condition, left knee disability, and tarsal tunnel syndrome to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board granted service connection for a lower back disability and a neck disability, but denied service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a neck disability and low back disability as the VA examiner's opinions are found to be inadequate.

The Board remands the claim for a VA medical opinion to address all evidence, including lay statements regarding low back pain during and since service.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, to include degenerative disc disease, as the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current condition was related to his military service.

The Board remands the claim for a lumbar spine disability to correct a duty to assist error, obtain VA examination and ensure all relevant treatment records are obtained.

The Veteran was granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, effective September 15, 2015, as secondary to pes planus. The Board also granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is granted an effective date of September 15, 2015, and a TDIU is also granted.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several claims for further development.

The appeal was dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent election of review options.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for GERD, denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and a lumbar spine disability, and remanded the claim for a psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for diverticulitis, lumbar spinal stenosis, and cervical spinal stenosis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.