Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for the Veteran's back scar and remanded issues related to increased ratings for lumbar spine, left knee, and radiculopathy disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal of proposed rating reductions for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy, left lower extremity, due to procedural defects in the Veteran's notice of disagreement. The issue regarding a compensable rating for migraine headaches was remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and left knee disorder to request additional evidence regarding the Veteran's National Guard service records and obtain further medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right hip disability, left hip disability, lumbar strain and sacroiliac joint pain with left lower extremity radiation, and right great toe ingrown toenail and onychomycosis as the evidence did not show a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the remaining claims for further development, including service connection evaluations.

The Board dismissed all issues as a matter of law due to a procedural defect in the Veteran's February 2023 VA Form 10182s, which attempted to concurrently elect multiple review options.

The Board granted service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and granted a 10 percent rating for left hip limitation of extension, while denying other claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a separate rating for traumatic brain injury residuals, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, bilateral hand tremors, and bilateral restless leg syndrome. The Board also granted an increased rating of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board granted service connection for headaches, right and left heel pain, and a lumbar spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine C5 fracture residuals. The claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for upper extremity radiculopathy were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings, except for restoring a 30 percent disability rating for right knee strain and a 20 percent disability rating for left knee strain.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and migraine headaches, finding that the evidence supports a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and left shoulder conditions based on the evidence showing that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, both related to in-service herbicide exposure. The IBS claim was remanded.

The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU prior to April 15, 2011, as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantial gainful employment.

The Board granted service connection for a back condition but denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy and a skin condition of the feet and ankles.

The Board remands the claims for further development to ensure that the severity of the Veteran's disabilities is accurately assessed without considering the ameliorative effects of medications.

The Board denied increased ratings for bladder cancer, heart disease, PTSD, back condition, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for a thyroid disorder and remanded claims for lung, skin, psychiatric, and back disorders.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease but denied an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and service connection for generalized anxiety disorder.