Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted an effective date of March 20, 2015, for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine.

The Board remands the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar myositis, degenerative disc disease, other than intervertebral disc syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for back, right hip, and knee disabilities due to a need for additional development of evidence.

The appeal for service connection for recurrent left shoulder dislocation residuals, a back disability, depression, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied earlier effective dates, initial ratings higher than 30 percent for chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, depressed mood, and insomnia, and initial ratings higher than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain. The claims for service connection for various conditions were remanded.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded claims for service connection for a low back disability and left lower extremity neurological disability.

The Board restored the 70 percent rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder, effective February 1, 2024, as the reduction was improper. The claim for a higher rating for low back disability was dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition and an acquired psychiatric disability, secondary to the lumbar spine condition.

The Board granted an effective date of October 3, 2019, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for a service-connected back condition and denied a compensable rating for sinusitis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities to correct a duty to assist error, specifically related to obtaining complete service treatment records and an adequate medical opinion.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hearing loss due to deficiencies in the VA's duty to assist, including incomplete service treatment records and lack of audiometric testing results.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right knee strain, lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, and right shoulder strain due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, status post fusion surgery and a compensable rating for a lumbar spine surgical scar to provide the Veteran an opportunity for VA examinations.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, status post fusion surgery and a compensable rating for a lumbar spine surgical scar to provide the Veteran an opportunity for VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for back disability, hallux valgus, right, and plantar fasciitis, right as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hallux rigidus, right. However, it denied an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the hallux rigidus, right.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less; ankylosis of the spine or its functional equivalent; or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks during a 12-month period.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board granted initial ratings of 40 percent for a low back disability, and 10 percent each for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective October 23, 2013. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.