Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied. The veteran was granted separate initial ratings for right thumb strain, right long finger strain, right ring finger strain, and right little finger strain. The claim for service connection for a left ankle disability was remanded.

The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder condition, lumbar spine condition, gastrointestinal condition (GERD), and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine disability was denied for the period from February 21, 2020, to June 30, 2022. Other issues related to the rating and TDIU were remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, including lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), was granted. The claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was remanded.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from January 1953.,The claims for increased ratings and service connection are denied.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) at the 38 U.S.C. 1114(l) rate is granted due to regular aid and attendance.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a lower back disability. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with new evidence.

Service connection for vertigo, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right elbow condition, left elbow condition, left shin splint condition, traumatic brain injury, sleep apnea, left wrist condition, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy was denied. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right wrist condition, back condition, and right ankle condition was remanded.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a left shoulder strain rating was dismissed. Service connection for OSA was granted, but higher ratings for left shoulder and thoracolumbar strains were denied.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits was granted. Service connection for recurrent ear infections was also granted. However, several disability rating increases were denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, dry eye syndrome, right third finger disability, IBS, bladder condition, right wrist disability, and metatarsalgia were denied. The veteran was granted a 50% rating for migraine headaches, a 10% rating for rhinitis, a 50% rating for sinusitis, and a 100% rating for PTSD. Several other claims were remanded.

The Board dismissed appeals related to the effective dates for PTSD and SMC ratings but remanded issues regarding earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's degenerative arthritis, spondylolisthesis, lumbar surgery, pseudo-claudication syndrome, and severe diffuse lumbar scoliosis. The evidence did not show a nexus between these conditions and the veteran's service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation for low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. A separate compensable evaluation of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted. The claim for TDIU was denied, and the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.

The appeal for service connection of a low back disorder is remanded. The Board will consider new evidence and obtain a thorough medical opinion.

The Board remanded all issues to obtain more evidence and ensure a complete record.

The Board denied all claims, including service connection for bilateral feet disability and increased ratings or earlier effective dates for various conditions.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's lumbar strain with disc bulging, finding that it resulted from an in-service injury.

The veteran's service connection claim for a lower back condition was granted because the Board found that his current disability is related to an in-service injury.

The veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was granted. The claims for back and left shoulder disabilities were remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for ankle disabilities, scars, and tension headaches were denied. The claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine disability was remanded.