Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for right shoulder strain and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

Service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mid and lower back thoracolumbar spine is denied. Service connection for migraines and a rating more than 10 percent for degenerative arthritis cervical spine, spinal stenosis and IVDS are remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and residuals of TBI were granted based on new evidence. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.

The appeal for service connection of a neck condition was dismissed. The veteran's rating for thoracic strain, lumbar degenerative disc and joint disease, and stenosis was restored to 40 percent. A 10 percent rating for bursitis in the right hip was granted. The claim for sleep apnea was remanded.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of cervical spine disability to correct duty to assist errors. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and right hip strain were granted, while the claims for left hip strain, right forearm condition, and left foot and toes condition were denied.

The veteran's claims for a 100% rating for major depressive disorder and PTSD, TDIU, and special monthly compensation based on housebound status were granted.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's back disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or event related to the current condition.

The veteran's service connection claims for right shoulder, left shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted.

The Veteran's service connection for degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spondylolisthesis is granted. The Board found that these conditions were incurred in or caused by the Veteran's service.

The VA denied service connection for fungal infections but remanded decisions on bilateral torn rotator cuffs, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and degenerative lumbar disc disease.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease are rated at 50 percent. The veteran is also granted special monthly compensation for aid and attendance.

The veteran's low back disability is service-connected due to an in-service parachute landing injury. The Board resolved reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for umbilical hernia was denied. Other issues related to service connection and disability ratings were remanded for further examination.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating and an earlier effective date for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was denied. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for several conditions were mixed. Some were granted, some denied, and one was remanded.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus was denied. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied. Claims for hypertension, migraine headaches, and lower back disability were remanded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition was denied. The claim for service connection for psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, skin disorder, and shoulder disabilities were denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and essential tremors were granted. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability resulting from nasal surgeries was denied. The claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability was remanded.