Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea were denied. The claims for upper back condition, low back condition, left hand condition, and right knee condition were remanded for further examination.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were granted. Claims for earlier effective dates for a higher rating of lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and PTSD were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance was granted.

The veteran's disability rating for his back condition was improperly reduced and has been restored to 20% effective June 14, 2022.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for left and right knee disorders is denied. Entitlement to service connection for back and heart disorders is remanded.

The veteran's disability ratings for low back and left sciatic nerve issues were restored to previous levels. Claims for erectile dysfunction and pseudofolliculitis were denied. Other issues, including service connection for headaches and hypertension, were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities but remanded the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep disturbances.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of lower back and right shoulder conditions. The Board found that the examiner's opinions were inadequate because they did not address the veteran's lay statements about injuries during service.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS was restored to 20 percent, making the issue moot.

The VA dismissed the claim for service connection of psychosis or mental illness (claimed as sleep disturbances) for treatment eligibility. The claims for asthma and bronchitis were denied, while the claims for psychiatric disability, back disability, and neck disability were remanded for further evaluation.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for special monthly compensation and increased ratings for several conditions due to missing medical records.

The veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of a back condition was remanded, while the request for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

Service connection for all claimed conditions except glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency was denied. Service connection for glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency is remanded.

The veteran's service connection for lumbosacral strain and related radiculopathies in both lower extremities was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing specific criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits. The increase in disability occurred before the one-year period prior to the claim date.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with status post microdiscectomy for herniated disc condition. The Veteran's claim is based on secondary service connection to a right knee strain disability.

The Board denied the veteran's request to restore higher ratings for degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy, finding that the reductions were proper based on medical evidence.

The veteran's service connection for trunk and right underarm scars, and left lower leg scar is granted with an effective date of March 31, 2020. Other claims, including those for head, face, or neck scars, and higher ratings for various conditions, are denied.

The veteran's request for a higher rating for PTSD was denied. Service connection for tinnitus was granted, but decisions on lumbosacral strain and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded.

The veteran's request for a higher disability rating for tinnitus was denied. All other claims for service connection were remanded for further review.