Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted an effective date of November 23, 2016 for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis due to continuous pursuit of the initial claim during a COVID-19 national emergency.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss and remanded the claims of service connection for neck condition (secondary to chronic low back strain) and entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic low back sprain.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions due to a need for additional development and medical examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent disability rating for his service-connected status post right ankle fracture with arthritis, and remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for herniated disc, lumbar spine L5-S1.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for a cervical disability, finding that no communications or claims seeking service connection were received prior to October 15, 2021.

The appeal for service connection for a back disability is remanded due to an inadequate medical examination and the need to properly apply the presumption of soundness.

The Board granted service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis, status post Achilles tendon repair and remanded claims for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded a claim for service connection for a low back disorder.

The appeal for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was dismissed due to the Veteran's failure to properly respond to a request for clarification.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, as well as remanded certain issues for further consideration.

The appeal to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral foot, lumbar spine, and right leg conditions is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The appeals for service connection for left and right foot disabilities were withdrawn by the Veteran, and the appeals for a low back disability and headache disability were remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased initial ratings and earlier effective dates for service-connected disabilities, finding that the criteria for higher ratings were not met.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and remanded the claim for bipolar disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability to the AOJ for additional development, including an examination and medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The appeal for service connection for a low back disability has been dismissed as it is now moot due to the Board's previous grant of service connection.

The Board remands the case for a medical opinion on direct service connection and to correct a pre-decisional duty to obtain private treatment records.