Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar back condition is being sent back to the VA for further review. The Board needs more medical evidence to make a decision.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a low back disability because additional development is needed, including an adequate etiology opinion.

The veteran's appeal for service connection of multiple conditions was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the appeal.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was granted. Claims for low back disability and pain due to whole body vibration were denied, while the right knee disability claim was remanded.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, certain skin conditions, and scars other than post-operative scars. The Board found errors in the VA's duty to assist and ordered new examinations.

The VA denied service connection for left and right hand disabilities but remanded decisions on other conditions including hypertension, stroke, ED, arthritis, gout in both feet, and lower back disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for back issues and radiculopathy was denied. However, the effective date for a higher rating of bipolar II disorder was granted as December 6, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's back, eye (vision), and bladder disabilities. The decision was based on a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were related to the veteran's military service.

The appeal for service connection of a back condition and right ankle condition was dismissed because the issues were already resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of cardiovascular, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for the appeal period, and thus remanded the claims to obtain additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional medical opinions and examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back, left hip strain, left knee, and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The VA will provide new VA examinations to assess the extent of range of motion loss due to flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence does not support a nexus between the current disability and service or secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment, so a TDIU is granted.

The Board remanded the case to obtain a new medical opinion on whether the veteran's lumbar spine disorder is related to his service. The decision was based on the need for an addendum opinion that adequately addresses the veteran's lay statements and other relevant factors.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings due to inadequate reasons or bases provided by previous decisions and VA examinations. The veteran will undergo new examinations to determine the severity of his conditions.

The veteran's claims for higher disability ratings were denied, but the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance was granted. The claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and cervical spine disability. The Board found that these conditions were not shown to be chronic in service, did not manifest within the applicable presumptive period, and were not etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The veteran was granted a TDIU rating from November 21, 2016. Other claims for increased disability ratings and special monthly compensation were denied.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The Board will obtain addendum medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to service.