Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The appeal was denied for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and a compensable rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, while other claims were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for all the claimed conditions as they are not related to active service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased ratings as untimely, with no valid appeal under docket number 250102-497204.

The Board remands the claim for a low back disability to ensure that VA's duty to assist is followed and that the Veteran is afforded every possible consideration.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection back disorder, as due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE), was dismissed because the appeal request was not timely filed.

The Board granted service connection for right hip replacement and a back condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee condition, but denied service connection for pulmonary embolism.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher disability ratings, as well as remanded several issues for further development.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance is granted, as he requires regular assistance with dressing, keeping himself clean and presentable, and attending to his bodily needs due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding a continuous symptomatology since an in-service injury and a competent nexus to service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, an increased rating for a stroke and stroke residuals, and an increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance that the Veteran's current back disability is related to active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for trigger finger, right index finger and a low back disability as the evidence did not support current disabilities related to in-service injuries or events.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding no evidence of the condition during service or a relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety, fatigue, neurobehavioral effects (including mood), unspecified depressive disorder, hypertension, migraines, and degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was also denied a compensable rating.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain status post laminectomy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, and a compensable evaluation for urinary incontinence due to missing medical records and an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for attorney fees based on past-due benefits from an October 2024 rating decision that assigned higher disability ratings for the Veteran's psychiatric and lumbar spine disabilities.

The appeal for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and erectile dysfunction was withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney prior to the Board's decision.

The Board remands the matter for an adequate VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected spine disability, as the previous examinations were found inadequate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of onset during or within one year after service and no medical nexus between in-service noise exposure and the current condition.

The Board restored the 20 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain and remanded higher rating claims for bilateral knee conditions.