Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back condition because there is no adequate nexus opinion to determine if the condition is related to service or aggravated by PTSD. The Board also ordered additional examinations.

The veteran's claim for service connection for testosterone deficiency was granted. The veteran was assigned a 30% disability rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, but the request for an earlier effective date and higher ratings for other conditions were denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral cataracts and residuals of a left little finger fracture were dismissed because they had already been granted. The claims for service connection for a left leg disorder, low back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and sinusitis were denied due to lack of evidence showing current disability.

The veteran's request for an increased rating for low back disability was denied, but special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was granted. Issues related to left hip disability and neurological disability were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding it related to the veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities and adjustment disorder with depressed mood.

The veteran's appeal for service connection of several conditions was dismissed because the veteran requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with lumbar degenerative disc disease and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for migraine headaches was denied. The veteran was granted a higher rating for migraine headaches but denied higher ratings for rhinitis and other conditions. Some issues were remanded for further review.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his low back disability and an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claims for tinnitus, psychiatric disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and sleep disorder were remanded.

The appeal was dismissed without prejudice because the veteran died before a decision could be made. The claims can be resumed by an eligible person within one year of the veteran's death.

The Board remanded claims for bilateral carpel tunnel syndrome, right knee disability, and drug addiction due to new evidence. Claims for PTSD, other psychiatric disabilities, and drug addiction were denied.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was denied from May 29, 2020 to March 26, 2023 but granted from March 27, 2023 onwards.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's right knee disability, left knee disability, and lower back disability.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will receive additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's back condition, finding no evidence that it was due to a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The veteran's claim for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in both lower legs, due to a service-connected spine condition, is granted.

The veteran is granted an effective date of February 16, 2011 for TDIU and DEA. The veteran is also granted a 50 percent rating for psychiatric disability prior to May 17, 2016, and a 30 percent rating for GERD from May 26, 2018 to September 16, 2020. Other ratings were denied.

The Board granted the Veteran's petition to readjudicate the claim for an earlier effective date for the award of ratings for his back disability and related peripheral nerve disabilities due to new and relevant evidence.