Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings, finding that the evidence did not support an earlier date of entitlement or a higher rating based on the facts found.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back condition to afford the Veteran an examination and obtain a medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's current back condition and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or treatment and noting that the condition developed over time as a result of joint overuse.

The Board granted service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability, and denied an increased rating for tinnitus. The decision also remanded issues related to the Veteran's back and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding new and relevant evidence that supported the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, dismissing his appeal for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's back disability and granted earlier effective dates for service connection of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, and stenosis based on the evidence showing that these conditions originated during active service.

The Board granted service connection for a skin disability, diagnosed as PRP, and remanded the claims for back and esophageal cancer disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral foot disabilities and lumbar spine disability, as no higher or separate ratings were warranted based on the evidence.

The Board denied initial disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain, and in excess of 10 or 30 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, migraine headaches, and PTSD.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board remands the appeal for further development, including obtaining the Veteran's complete military personnel records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board remands the claim for a back disorder, to include claimed spina bifida occulta, for additional development as the previous VA medical opinion was found inadequate.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability based on the evidence showing they are etiologically related to active-duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic in-service symptoms or a relationship to an in-service injury.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the left ankle disability, a 10 percent rating from November 18, 2013 and a 100 percent rating from September 7, 2021 to October 9, 2022 for the right knee disability.

The appeal for service connection for a back disability was reopened and granted, while the appeal for sleep apnea was dismissed. The Board also remanded an issue regarding degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Board remands several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of both legs, and asthma, for further development.