Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol use disorder, as the Veteran did not continuously pursue entitlement to this benefit after its initial denial in June 2014.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including hypertension and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an earlier effective date for chronic post-traumatic headaches and a higher rating for PTSD with TBI.

The Board granted increased ratings of 30 percent for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, but remanded the issue of a higher rating for PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, so he is granted a rating of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of recurrent cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied. The claims for right knee disability and ratings in excess of the assigned percentages were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disorder other than of the ankle, foot, or veins was denied. All other issues were remanded for further action.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating higher than 40% for their back condition. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing the criteria for a higher rating were met.

The veteran's appeals for service connection for several conditions were dismissed. However, the veteran was granted a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability (TDIU) effective December 26, 2015.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine, low back, left hip, and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board remanded the appeal to obtain a new retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease. The previous opinions were inadequate.

Service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine is granted. The Veteran's current DDD is related to an in-service back injury caused by a hard helicopter landing.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, a heart condition, and a back condition due to unresolved issues requiring further clarification.

The veteran's 60 percent rating for low back disability was restored, but higher ratings and other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the right ankle and service connection for right ear hearing loss and pulmonary lung disability. All other issues were remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an increased rating for their low back disability, stating that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a tonsil disability was denied. The claims for back, right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, and headache disabilities were remanded for further examination.

The Board remanded all issues to correct errors and obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, thoracic strain, right posterior lyric lesion SI joint, dextroscoliosis, scarring/atelectasis of left lower lobe, nonspecific mild pulmonary hyperinflation, pleural effusion, residuals of COVID-19, and unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection of a lumbosacral strain and cervical strain due to inadequate medical examinations.