Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, neck disability, hearing loss, and migraine headaches, but remanded the claim for tinnitus.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a neck condition to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically to provide the Veteran with a VA examination.

The Board remands the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability to obtain an adequate examination by a neurology specialist.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability, finding that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability, as well as additional ratings for his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar fusion surgical scars.

The Board remands the case to prepare a statement of the case for earlier effective dates for service connection for coccyx injury residuals with lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.

The Board remands the claims for a low back disorder, sinusitis, and left ear hearing loss as there has not been substantial compliance with the mandates of the previous remand order.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a neck disability and low back disability for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings and separate disability ratings for lumbar spine, knee, and radiculopathy disabilities due to deficiencies in previous VA examinations.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to reassess the severity of the Veteran's back disability, as there is evidence that it has worsened beyond the criteria for the assigned 50 percent rating.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar strain prior to April 2023 for further evidentiary development.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and a lower back condition, while remanding claims for left little (pinky) finger condition and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disability.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability, as there was no evidence linking the conditions to the Veteran's active duty.

The Board granted an effective date of November 30, 2006, for service connection for right knee strain with posttraumatic arthritis, right knee instability with traumatic arthritis, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted readjudication of service connection for right and left elbow, right and left shoulder, low back, and right knee disabilities based on new and relevant evidence but remanded the same issues for further development.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and denied an increased rating for right wrist sprain, but granted a 20 percent initial rating for thoracolumbar strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for lumbar spine disability, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The appeal regarding entitlement to an effective date earlier than October 11, 2022 for the award of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The rating for a lumbar spine condition from March 10, 2023 was improperly reduced and reinstated at 40 percent.