Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings was dismissed because the veteran withdrew their claims.

The Board remanded the case to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran will receive an additional VA examination to ascertain the severity and manifestations of his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for back, neck, and right shoulder disabilities due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date earlier than September 29, 2011, for a 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The effective date remains September 29, 2011.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and rating for right hip strain, thoracolumbar spine disability, and shin splints due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sinusitis was dismissed. The appeals for service connection for left knee, right knee, and lower back disabilities, as well as an increased rating for a left inguinal hernia, were remanded.

The veteran's appeal for restoration of a 40 percent evaluation for lumbar spine disability was denied. The veteran's appeal for restoration of a 10 percent evaluation for left knee disability was granted.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for several conditions was granted, with the effective date set to January 26, 2021. The veteran will receive a 20 percent disability rating for lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease.

The VA denied higher ratings for several conditions but granted a separate 10% rating for hallux valgus and 40% ratings for radiculopathy in both lower extremities starting from March 20, 2020. TDIU was also granted from the same date.,,,,,,,,The VA did not find new and relevant evidence to reopen claims for hypertension, tinnitus, or bilateral hearing loss.,,,,

The veteran's request for a higher rating for PTSD and hemorrhoids was denied. The claim for a higher rating for chronic lumbosacral strain was remanded.

The veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus, type II was dismissed. All other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for lumbar spine spondylolisthesis and radiculopathy of both lower extremities due to insufficient examination and evaluation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for spondylolisthesis with degenerative disc disability is granted.

Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, pes planus, bronchitis, sinusitis, back disability, and jaw disability was denied. Service connection for asthma, allergic rhinitis, and headaches was remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, bilateral shin disability, bilateral foot disability, neck disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral wrist disability were denied. The claims for migraine headaches and bilateral knee disabilities were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for increased disability ratings for cervical spine and back disabilities.

The proposed reduction of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain evaluation was dismissed. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted, but other conditions were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been granted. The Board found that the OSA is related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remanded the case to obtain an adequate examination for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The appeal for service connection of lumbar fibromyositis was dismissed. The appeals for right ankle sprain and ankle calcaneus spurs were denied.