Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board dismissed the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and lower back disability due to untimely filing.

The veteran's request for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for PTSD was denied. However, the veteran was granted TDIU as of April 1, 2019.

The appeal for TDIU was dismissed because it is being handled in another appeal stream. The claim for service connection of a back condition was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to active service.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings and TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations.

The veteran's service connection for tinnitus and both knee conditions was granted. Other claims were remanded.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for several conditions and remanded issues related to effective dates. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were based on evidence that did not meet the criteria for increased ratings.

The appeal for service connection of neck and low back conditions was dismissed due to the veteran's death.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI, DDD, and urinary incontinence, have been determined to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for all claimed disabilities, including foot, ankle, knee, wrist, back, joint pain, mouth, erectile dysfunction, IBS, headache, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorders.

The appeal for service connection of a low back disability has been remanded. The VA must schedule an examination to determine the nature and cause of the veteran's low back condition.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for a higher rating of low back disability and service connection for neck and shoulder disorders due to inadequate examinations.

The Board granted a 20% disability rating for low back issues starting June 30, 2022. All other claims were denied or dismissed.

The veteran was granted a 40% rating for back disability and a 30% rating for right shoulder disability. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) was remanded.

The appeal for service connection of mechanical low back pain and congenital fusion of L3-4 is remanded. The Board needs more information to decide if the condition was aggravated by military service.

The appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine condition is remanded. The Board found errors in the previous decision and ordered further development, including obtaining missing medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board granted an effective date of September 8, 2009 for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve and September 9, 2016 for a 40 percent rating for low back disability. Other issues were denied.

The veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for left elbow conditions were granted. A 30% rating for sinusitis was assigned from June 1, 2010. Claims for higher ratings for back and plantar fasciitis disabilities were denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. The claims for right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability were remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal for service connection of lumbosacral strain was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the claim.

The veteran's service connection for right knee strain, left knee strain, lumbosacral strain, left shoulder strain, and right elbow strain was granted. The issues of right foot pain and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome were remanded.