Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The appeal of a proposed rating reduction for lumbar strain with osteoarthritis is dismissed because the August 2023 rating decision was not a final decision.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition due to a need for an additional VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability based on the Veteran's testimony that his symptoms began during active service as a Drill Sergeant.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical strain and denied increased ratings for bilateral lumbosacral disorder, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, IVDS, radiculopathy, and bulging disc to obtain a more thorough medical opinion.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine (claimed as low back injury) has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board remands the claim for a low back disability to schedule a VA examination to determine its etiology and whether it is related to service.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and 20 percent ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right knee degenerative arthritis. The claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis was denied, as well as the TDIU.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings of various disabilities to ensure that all relevant VA treatment records are obtained and considered.

The Board denied service connection for temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) and remanded the claims for hysterectomy, gynecological adhesions, recurrent urinary tract infections, bilateral knee disabilities, plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, hallux valgus, lumbar spine disability, lower extremity sciatica, and dermatitis due to a duty to assist error.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity sensory loss and denied an increased rating for left foot ankylosis with loss of use, while remanding the service connection claims for chronic lumbar spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including a low back disability, migraine headaches, sleep apnea, PTSD, and scoliosis.

The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for left chronic suppurative otitis media and remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability, as well as increased ratings for headaches and postsurgical residual nerve disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to obtain an adequate examination.

The Board denied service connection for chronic sinusitis and remanded the claims for back, neck, and radiculopathy conditions.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and a back scar. The claim for GERD and an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran, and therefore, no decision on the merits of the claims can be made.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the left little finger disability and remanded claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and back disability as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions.