Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. All other conditions are denied or remanded.

The claim for a higher rating than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease was denied because the veteran did not attend a scheduled VA examination.

The veteran's service connection claims for low back disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, lumbar radiculopathy, and sleep apnea were granted.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for disorders manifested by dizziness, chest pain, back disorder, and diarrhea. The Board found that additional examinations are needed to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's back condition, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and scoliosis.

The appeal for a compensable rating for a scar on the lumbar spine was dismissed because the veteran passed away during the appeals process.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate a relationship to military service.

The Board remanded all claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error and the need for additional development.

The veteran's service connection for a low back condition was granted, and a 100% rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress was also granted. The claim for total disability based on individual unemployability was remanded.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD with TBI was withdrawn. The appeals for earlier effective dates for cervical and lumbar spine conditions were denied, but the Board remanded the revision of the March 2010 rating decision based on CUE.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and a bilateral ankle disability as secondary to a flat foot disability. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and cervical spine disability were dismissed. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus was denied, as well as the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection for hypertension was granted under the PACT Act.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for lumbosacral and thoracolumbar strain and for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition was granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, and right knee condition were remanded.

The veteran's effective date for increased ratings of lumbar strain, PTSD, right knee strain, and left knee strain is granted as March 25, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypotension were denied. Other issues related to various disabilities were dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition was denied. The claim for a back condition was remanded for further development.

The Board remanded all issues to associate a missing document with the claims file.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or link to military service.

The veteran is eligible for direct payment of attorney fees based on the May 2023 award of a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran is not eligible for direct payment of attorney fees based on the May 2023 awards of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, back disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.