Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, including degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbar dorsopathies, radiculopathy/sciatica, and degenerative arthritis, as there was no persuasive evidence of an in-service incurrence or a nexus between the in-service toxic exposure risk activity and the current disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, as the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or an earlier effective date.

The Board granted service connection for a neck disability and PTSD, restored the 50 percent rating for unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, and denied service connection for a low back disability. The Board also denied an increased rating for TBI residuals and an initial compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied a rating higher than 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with spinal fusion and IVDS from September 14, 2021 to April 7, 2022; granted a 60 percent evaluation for right total knee joint replacement effective December 1, 2021.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for headaches, to include migraines, and a 20 percent evaluation for lumbar pars interarticularis defect L5 with grade 1 anterolisthesis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability, in-service incurrence or aggravation, and a causal relationship between the claimed condition and active duty. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a back disorder, diagnosed as stenosis with degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine. The other issues were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle sprain, headaches, lumbar strain, and PTSD were denied based on his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for a right knee disability, left knee disability, back disability, bilateral foot disability, right ankle disability, and loss of smell.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for various disabilities, including left hip strain with trochanteric pain syndrome, limitation of abduction of the left hip, lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, and radiculopathy affecting both lower extremities.

The appeal for whether the claims may be processed as a fully developed claim is dismissed as moot.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's residual low back scar, with pain, from June 8, 2010 to February 11, 2016 and denied a compensable rating for the same condition from February 11, 2016. The Board also denied an effective date prior to June 8, 2010 for degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral spine, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, and residual low back scar.

The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates, service connection for various conditions, and remanded some issues for further development.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board remands the claim for a back condition to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors and to provide an adequate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hand, bilateral knee, low back, and bilateral shoulder disabilities as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to his active service.

The appeal for service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities was dismissed. The appeal for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis was granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal of a proposed rating reduction for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spondylolisthesis and the appeals for entitlement to increased ratings for right and left lower radiculopathy as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board denied a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and rhinitis, as the evidence did not support a more severe disability level.

The appeal for service connection for a low back disability is granted in part, as new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claim.