Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for back condition, neck condition, and bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with all available evidence.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection for several conditions, including UPPP residuals, PTSD with MDD and AUD, and scars. However, it remanded issues related to cervical and lumbosacral strains.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea and lumbar spine disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for degenerative joint disease and disc space narrowing of the lumbar spine was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the appeal.

The appeal regarding the proposed reduction of the rating for service-connected narcolepsy was dismissed. Entitlement to service connection for a low back condition and degenerative disc disease (DDD) with arthritis, including as secondary to a low back condition, was denied.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to lumbosacral strain with IVDS. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with additional medical opinions.

The appeal for service connection of a back disorder and right hand condition was dismissed because the veteran did not file within one year of the rating decisions.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of hypertension and PTSD. It dismissed claims for earlier effective dates for ratings of hemorrhoids, lumbosacral strain, hearing loss, and sciatic radiculopathy. The Board also denied higher ratings for these conditions and remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes and sleep apnea.

The veteran's right ankle disability is granted service connection, but the low back disability is denied.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and back disability due to pre-decisional errors. The veteran will receive new medical opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder (MDD).

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The decision was based on the lack of new and material evidence within one year of previous denials.

The Board remanded all claims for service connection due to errors in the duty to assist. The Veteran's claims will be re-adjudicated by the AOJ.

The veteran's claims for service connection for several conditions were denied. However, the veteran was granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for a right hand scar and an initial 20 percent disability rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia was denied. All other claims were remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for a 20% disability rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were granted. Other issues, including higher ratings and TDIU, were remanded.

The Board remanded all the issues to correct duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the June 2022 rating decision on appeal.

The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and lumbar spine disability has been remanded. The Board needs more information to make a decision.

The claim for service connection of a back disability is being sent back to the VA for further review. The VA needs to provide an adequate medical examination and opinion.

The appeal was dismissed because the veteran passed away before a decision could be made. The claims do not survive the veteran's death.