Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The appeal for service connection for a lower back condition was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the veteran's appeal. The claims for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, peripheral vestibular disease, and an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and IVDS were denied. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted.

The Board remanded the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder, requiring additional medical opinions and records.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for their low back condition from March 19, 2021 onwards was denied. The Board remanded the claims for a higher rating and TDIU prior to March 19, 2021 for further development.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for left hip strain with limitation of extension was denied. The claims for ratings related to left hip strain with limitation of flexion, thigh impairment, and lumbar spine condition were remanded for further evaluation.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for further development and examination. The issues involve evaluations for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Board increased the ratings for left and right knee disabilities to 20 percent, but denied an increased rating for a low back disability and a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands all service connection claims for further development, including VA examinations to determine the current nature and etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's PTSD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS and spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability to verify the Veteran's periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA and obtain an adequate examination.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability to ensure an adequate medical opinion is obtained.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain as a secondary condition to the Veteran's service-connected left knee tendonitis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's lay statements of continuity.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits, effective October 20, 2014.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, cervical spine condition, and low back condition due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with facet arthrosis (arthritis) as the claim was not continuously pursued and the evidence did not warrant an earlier effective date.

The Board dismissed the appeals of proposed reductions in disability ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and right shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis and clavicle deformity as they are not appealable determinations.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and denied entitlement to higher initial ratings for existing disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for GERD and denied a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, while remanding claims for lumbar spine and left hip disabilities.