Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent evaluation of intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbosacral strain has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had continuous symptoms of a back disability since his service.

The veteran was granted a 40 percent disability rating for both left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy. The claim for a compensable disability rating for the surgical scar was denied, and the issue of a higher rating for the lumbar spine condition was remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including insomnia, alcohol abuse, and anxiety), liver disease, and degenerative disc disease are granted.

The veteran was granted a 70% rating for left hip joint replacement and various effective dates for other conditions, but some claims were denied or remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist strain and lumbosacral strain were granted.

The veteran's effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits is granted as of January 8, 2020.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of back, neck, left knee, right knee, and right ulnar nerve disabilities due to errors in pre-decisional duty to assist.

The veteran's claim for lumbosacral strain is being reopened due to new evidence. The claim for right upper extremity radiculopathy was granted and dismissed from appeal. Other claims, including those for a right shoulder condition, back condition, left knee condition, and left upper chest scar, are being remanded for further review.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher rating of COPD and service connection for dizziness, left knee strain, right knee strain, and lumbosacral strain due to inadequate examinations and missing records.

Service connection for the veteran's low back, left knee, and left foot disabilities was granted. The issues of right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded.

Service connection for sinusitis, cervical spine arthritis, and upper extremity radiculopathy was denied. Service connection for OSA, headaches, vertigo, and lumbar spine arthritis was remanded.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for left hip disorder, right hip disorder, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence does not show the condition began during active service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of OSA, including as secondary to service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, asthma, and IBS. The Veteran's exposure to burn pits was confirmed.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied. The veteran was granted a 30% rating for tension headaches and a 10% rating for irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Other claims were remanded.

The Board remanded the claim for a Toxic Exposure Risk Activity (TERA) medical opinion to determine if OSA is related to toxic exposures and for a new VA medical opinion addressing correct legal standards regarding obesity.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. The claim for a low back condition was denied. The claims for bilateral knee condition and tinea pedis were remanded for further development.

Service connection for the veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted.

The veteran's service connection for a back condition is granted based on new and relevant evidence. The claim for service connection for a thyroid condition is denied.