Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for several service-connected conditions, except for a 80 percent rating for left sciatic nerve radiculopathy and 20 percent ratings for right lower radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve, both effective from June 1, 2023.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and a lumbar spine disability, and remanded service connection claims for carpal tunnel syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea.

The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and service connection for metatarsalgia (foot pain) (Morton's disease) (plantar fasciitis (also claimed as foot problems) was dismissed. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back condition and right knee condition to conduct a direct search for missing treatment records at the Charleston Naval Hospital from 1982 and 1983.

The appeals for service connection of various conditions, including anemia and multiple musculoskeletal and neurological issues, were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, variously diagnosed as kyphosis, mild scoliosis, degenerative arthritis, and compression fracture of the L1.

The Board remands the issues of an increased rating for lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities prior to July 30, 2016, for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders due to insufficient evidence.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease with cervical strain prior to June 20, 2018, and entitlement to compensable ratings for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy prior to January 7, 2016, due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability, as there was no evidence of forward flexion of 30 degrees or less or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, but denied an increased rating for the unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, head injury residuals, a back disorder, a neck disorder, a left hip disorder, and a right hip disorder to correct duty to assist errors.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between the condition and his active military service.

The Board granted service connection for an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, but denied or remanded claims for other disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining outstanding relevant treatment records.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a 50 percent rating for an insomnia disorder, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for kyphosis, degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, IVDS effective March 31, 2006, and a 100 percent rating for bowel functional impairment due to stroke effective April 18, 2020.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as spondylolisthesis and tinnitus based on the evidence supporting their onset during active service.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to ensure that all range-of-motion testing requirements are met, as per Correia v. McDonald.

The Board remands the appeal for new VA examinations to determine whether any bilateral shoulder disabilities, bilateral wrist disabilities, a cervical spine disability, and/or a thoracolumbar spine disability had their onset during, or are otherwise related to, the Veteran's military service.