Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's right ear hearing loss and a higher rating for their back disability.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of hypertension, lumbosacral strain, right hip strain, and right knee strain due to missing military records and insufficient medical evidence.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for migraines was granted. All other issues were denied or remanded.

The veteran's service connection claims for low back disability and bilateral flat feet (pes planus) were granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 7, 2022, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter for his service-connected lumbar spine strain due to insufficient examinations reports.

The Veteran's neurogenic bladder disability was initially diagnosed on August 15, 2023. The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection.,The Veteran's neurogenic bladder disability is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board found no evidence of a higher rating based on voiding dysfunction criteria.

The Board granted service connection for chronic gastritis and low back disability. Other claims, including GERD, IBS, and fibromyalgia, were remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for osteoarthritis of the left wrist and a back disability, to include degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and thoracic spondylosis, as secondary to service-connected lower extremity disabilities. The remand requires additional development including obtaining updated medical opinions that address all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition, left sacroiliac joint condition, and right sacroiliac joint condition due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and a need for further examination.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease was partially granted. The veteran is entitled to a 40% rating from November 21, 2017 to February 28, 2018, but not for the other periods.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence and frequency are associated with his service-connected lumbar spine disability, warranting a separate rating. His lumbar spine injury with intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 40 percent prior to December 16, 2021, and the Board has granted this rating.

The Board remanded all issues to provide the Veteran with information about the qualifications of the VA examiners.

The veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was granted. The claim for tonic-clonic seizures or grand mal epilepsy was denied.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's sleep apnea, recognizing it as secondary to their service-connected low back disability.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, including right hip, bilateral shoulders, back, and bilateral knees, as well as tinnitus. The Board found that VA examinations are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these claimed disorders.

The veteran's low back disability rating was restored to 40% from February 17, 2022. However, the ratings for radiculopathy in both lower extremities remained at 20%.

The veteran's service connection for a cervical spine condition and fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness was granted. The veteran's rating for unspecified anxiety disorder was restored to 70 percent. Other issues were denied or remanded.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection of lumbosacral strain, right hip strain, and right knee meniscal tear due to an invalid form submission.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine disability and bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. Service connection for insomnia was granted with an effective date of November 26, 2021.

Service connection for the veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and arthritis with radiculopathy, is granted effective October 27, 2014.