Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his back disability and multiple myeloma, as well as an earlier effective date for service connection of the back disability.

The Board granted service connection for mechanical low back pain, musculoskeletal neck and cervical spine, and ear condition (such as earaches) based on the evidence showing that these conditions had their onset during active service with continuity of symptoms to the present.

The Board remands the claims for a back disability and bladder disability to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for left and right leg conditions due to the lack of a current diagnosis, while remanding claims for low back and bilateral knee conditions for further development.

The Board remands the claims for a higher disability rating as there was an error in not providing the Veteran with notice of his right to a hearing under 38 C.F.R. § 3.103(d)(1).

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including left ankle, right ankle, right knee, left knee, right shoulder, left shoulder, back, headaches (including migraines), sinus condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, bilateral shoulder strain, and right knee strain based on the Veteran's competent and credible statements of symptoms beginning in service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and various musculoskeletal conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and providing proper notice of the Veteran's right to a hearing.

The Board denied service connection for insomnia and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and adjustment disorder. The claims for service connection for left knee pain, right knee pain, low back pain, right shoulder pain, and left shoulder pain were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for a lung condition and low back condition to ensure compliance with the statutory duty to obtain a TERA opinion in accordance with the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act of 2022 (PACT Act) and to provide an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all service connection claims, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review this appeal.

The Board granted service connection for a heart disability and the cause of the Veteran's death, but denied service connection for a back disability. The left elbow disability was remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine conditions due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, headaches, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a low back disability. The claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from March 30, 2011, warranting a TDIU.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in obtaining adequate VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board granted readjudication of the appellant's claims for service connection for an abdominal disability, a left knee disability, a right knee disability, TMJ, and lumbosacral strain due to new evidence. The appeal for asthma was dismissed as moot, while other claims were denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disorders due to missing records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection of May 19, 2022 for a lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathies, but denied earlier effective dates for right and left knee disabilities. A 10 percent rating was also granted for the removal of semilunar cartilage in the right knee.