Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a back condition, and a mental/stress disorder because the evidence did not show these conditions began during or are related to active service.

The veteran's neck condition is service-connected. The back condition claim is sent back for more medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to military service.

Service connection for migraines is granted. Service connection for a low back condition is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's request for direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a January 2023 Rating Decision.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of low back and bilateral knee disabilities, secondary to a service-connected right ankle disability. The Board found that additional medical opinions were needed to address issues related to aggravation and obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board remanded all issues related to service connection for various disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The veteran's service connection for lumbar spine spondylosis and stenosis, as well as related conditions in the lower extremities, was granted. However, claims related to cervical spine issues and total disability rating were remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for neck and low back disabilities were denied, but the claim for right knee disability was remanded for further consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date earlier than October 6, 2021, for service connection of lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities.

The claim for service connection for lumbar facet arthropathy can be readjudicated due to new evidence, but the claim for degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar facet arthropathy, and low back pain is denied.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The veteran is eligible for direct payment of attorney fees from past due benefits awarded for service connection of fibromyalgia as secondary to a back disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU due to inadequate examination reports in the previous decisions. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess his cervical spine disability, including range of motion during flare-ups and repeated use.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease from July 23, 2009 was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for left side costochondritis was denied. The claims for service connection for neck and back disorders were remanded for further adjudication.

The appeal for an increased rating for the veteran's lumbar spine disability has been remanded due to inadequate medical examinations. The Board requires new, compliant examinations and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for back and neck disabilities, finding no credible evidence of an in-service injury or exposure that caused the current conditions.

The appeal for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral strain has been remanded. The Board needs more information to decide.

The Board remanded the veteran's appeal for a higher rating of their low back disability. The Board needs more information about the veteran's range of motion during flare-ups and after repeated use over time.