Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher evaluations of patellofemoral syndrome, radiculopathy, and lumbar degenerative disc disease, as well as the claim for TDIU, due to errors in the duty to assist.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been determined to render him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment, thus entitling him to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The veteran's service connection for lumbosacral strain, claimed as a back condition, has been granted. The decision is based on the Veteran's current disability being related to in-service back pain.

The Board remanded all claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining the Veteran's complete service records.

The Board remanded the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the VA examination was inadequate and ordered a new medical opinion.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection of a cervical spine disorder and for a higher rating of lumbosacral strain due to procedural errors.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of several conditions, including degenerative disc disease and knee issues, due to inadequate medical opinions. The Board will reconsider these claims after obtaining new medical evidence.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbar disability from October 30, 1972, to January 12, 2016, was granted. The Board found that the evidence supported a 40 percent rating during this period.

The Board decided to reopen the claim for residuals of a broken nose, including sinusitis. Service connection for a low back condition was denied. The claims for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders were remanded for further review.

The Board granted service connection for chronic low back pain due to a clear and unmistakable error in the August 1995 rating decision.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of erectile dysfunction, finding that additional development is needed. The Veteran's contention is that his erectile dysfunction was caused or aggravated by chronic and pervasive pain from his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The veteran's request for a higher rating for low back disability was denied, but service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the low back disability was granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. The claims for migraine headaches, right knee condition, left knee condition, low back condition, shin splints, and tooth condition were denied or remanded.

The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and a thoracolumbar spine condition due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or functional impairment.

The Board granted service connection for all the veteran's claimed conditions, finding that they began during service.

The Board denied all claims for increased disability ratings and service connection for chest pain, finding the evidence persuasively against the veteran's contentions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition was remanded due to new and relevant evidence. The claim for an increased rating for a bilateral foot condition was denied.

The Board dismissed claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae residual anterior neck scars and depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome with MDD-like episode as they were already granted. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for plantar fasciitis was withdrawn. The claim for a compensable disability rating for corneal scar of the right eye was denied. All other issues related to service connection were remanded.

The veteran's appeal to reduce the disability rating for lumbosacral strain was dismissed. The veteran was granted a 40% rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy but denied a compensable rating for the little finger of the right hand. Issues regarding TDIU and SMC were remanded.