Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remanded the veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability because the VA did not provide an adequate medical examination.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and a back condition. The veteran will receive a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for right iliotibial band syndrome was denied. However, the veteran was granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for low back strain.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were mixed. Some conditions, such as left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and left shoulder strain, were granted service connection. Others, like allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, were denied.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's back and right knee disabilities, as well as a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine with lumbosacral strain was granted, but the request for a higher rating was denied.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, to determine if these conditions are secondary to service-connected ankle and feet disabilities.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for right ankle strain and migraine headaches was partially granted. The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. Other issues were remanded.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection for various conditions due to a failure to obtain all relevant medical records.

The Board restored the veteran's rating for intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbosacral strain to 40% effective May 24, 2021. Other issues related to service connection were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the veteran's disabilities did not originate in or are related to his military service.

The Board remanded all issues for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims involve various ratings for service-connected disabilities related to the lumbar spine, lower extremities, and knees.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions, including hypertension and breast cancer residuals. However, it remanded the claims for uterine leiomyomata (fibroids) and related issues.

Service connection for Lyme disease and several other disabilities was denied. Service connection for sleep apnea was remanded for further evaluation.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and low back disability. The Board found that the VA examinations were inadequate and required further evaluation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for asthma was granted. Claims for left and right hamstring disabilities were denied. Claims for obstructive sleep apnea and low back disability were remanded.

The veteran's rating for back disability was restored to 40 percent because the evidence did not show improvement during flare-ups.

The appeal for service connection of a lumbar disc condition is remanded. The VA needs to obtain more records.

The veteran's service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and migraines was granted. The claim for posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and intermittent explosive disorder was remanded.

The appeal for an increased rating was dismissed because the veteran requested to withdraw it.