Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disability was dismissed because the veteran withdrew their appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeal because all issues were already decided in a previous decision.

The veteran's request for an increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis was remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with memory loss was granted, but claims for right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, neuropathy of the hands, and left bicep tendon rupture were denied.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine to obtain an adequate medical opinion.

The veteran's request for a higher rating for asthma was denied. The claim for service connection for GERD was remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for left shoulder and back conditions was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the appeal.

The appeal for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded. The Board needs a new medical opinion to determine if the condition is related to the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board decided to reopen and reconsider several claims related to service connection for various conditions. Some claims were dismissed or denied, while others were remanded for further consideration.

The Board denied service connection for right lower radiculopathy due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis. It also denied an increased rating for degenerative disc disease, finding the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's rating for lumbosacral strain was restored to 40% effective May 31, 2022. The reduction to 20% was voided due to procedural errors.

The Board remanded all issues related to service connection for various disabilities due to new and relevant evidence. The effective date for the left shoulder disability was denied.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of degenerative disc disease L4-L5 with canal stenosis, secondary to a cervical spine disability. The Veteran will receive another VA examination.

The veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the appeals.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of lumbosacral strain and left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome. The Board found that the VA medical opinions were inadequate and required further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected disabilities is granted. The Board found that the Veteran's obesity acted as an intermediate step between his service-connected disabilities and his OSA.

The Board denied service connection for bursitis, a neurological leg condition, left hip disability, right hip disability, and back disability. The evidence did not support that these conditions are related to the veteran's service.

The veteran's request for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative disc disease, and lumbosacral strain was denied. Service connection for Meniere's disease and sinusitis was also denied. Other issues were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder labrum tear was denied. The claims for service connection for back condition, left knee condition, and psychiatric condition were remanded.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating than 20% for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was denied. The claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was dismissed.