Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea and left knee meniscectomy, but remanded the claims for a low back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability.

The Board remands the claims for a higher disability rating for degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's left shoulder, lumbar spine, left wrist, headache, and spinal stroke disabilities as there was no evidence of chronic in-service symptoms or a nexus to an in-service injury.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for all service connection and increased rating claims, including carpal tunnel syndrome, allergic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, left eye, left elbow, left hip, left shoulder, hemorrhoids, headaches, back, neck, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and prediabetes.

The Board denied service connection for foot pain and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease as the evidence did not support a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar degenerative arthritis and radiculopathies, have been found to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. TDIU is granted effective March 29, 2022.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral upper extremity nerve conditions was dismissed, while the other claims were remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for multiple musculoskeletal conditions and a psychiatric condition, all of which were determined to be caused by an in-service injury.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability, spondylosis lumbar spine, and an acquired psychiatric disability to correct duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for rhinitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) on a presumptive basis due to exposure to fine particulate matter during active service in Southwest Asia. The Board also granted increased ratings of 30 percent, and no higher, for headaches, thoracolumbar spine strain, right rotator cuff tendonitis, and left rotator cuff tendonitis from December 13, 2021.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar spondylosis with degenerative osteoarthritis, depressive disorder due to multiple conditions with tobacco use disorder, and anxiety as they are inextricably intertwined.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, residuals of left foot frostbite, and residuals of right foot frostbite. The appeal was denied for a compensable disability rating for tinea genitocrural, intergluteal and tinea pedis, and onychomycosis.

The Board remands the claim for a cervical spine disability to obtain an additional medical opinion, as the previous VA examination was found inadequate.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability, low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability as the evidence did not support that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability and knee disability due to missing service records.

The Board remands the claim for a low back disability due to an inadequate VA medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, lumbar spine disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran was also granted a 10 percent rating prior to September 5, 2024, and a 30 percent rating thereafter for GERD.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back condition and remanded claims for service connection for chicken pox or residuals of chicken pox, hair loss, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral shoulder condition.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for the service-connected low back disorder, as the evidence demonstrated that regular flare-ups of the back disorder resulted in functional equivalent ankylosis.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and stenosis, and initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy to ensure that VA's duty to assist is properly followed.