Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings were mostly denied, but a rating of 90 percent for residuals of a right total hip replacement and special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) were granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted under the PACT Act. Other claims were remanded for further review.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent disability rating for lumbar spine strain. The rating remains effective from April 18, 2023.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of a low back condition and left knee injury because these conditions were already granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's low back disability, sciatic nerve disability, right knee disability, and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran did not provide evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of the cervical spine, and also denied increased ratings for traumatic brain injury and total disability rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The effective date for posttraumatic stress disorder with opioid use disorder was also denied.

The veteran's increased rating for low back disability to 40% and left knee disability to 30% was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating higher than 20% for chronic lumbosacral strain with IVDS. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing severe limitations in spinal movement or incapacitating episodes.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable rating for Tietze's disease. The claims for low back condition, heart condition, and diabetes mellitus were remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right and left wrist disabilities were granted due to new and relevant evidence. The veteran was also granted a 20 percent rating for lumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. All other conditions are denied or remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings were denied, but the claim for individual unemployability was remanded.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis was denied. The claims for pulmonary sarcoidosis and lung cancer were remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, left knee disability, right knee disability, sleep apnea (OSA), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and back disability were denied. The claim for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's request for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance for TBI residuals. The evidence did not show a need for a higher level of care by a licensed professional.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for low back, right hip, and left hip disabilities to obtain medical opinions on direct and secondary service connection.

The veteran's appeal for service connection of a back condition was dismissed because the veteran requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, neck disability, and numbness of the bilateral hands. The Board found that the medical opinions obtained were inadequate and required further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim that there was a clear and unmistakable error in the August 1984 and September 1987 rating decisions where service connection for a back condition was denied.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of low back pain, neck pain, left shoulder pain, and right foot pain. The Board needs more information from a VA examiner to decide if these conditions are related to military service.