Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral spine strain to correct pre-decisional errors concerning a failure to obtain pertinent private medical records, a failure to add to the claims-file pertinent medical records in VA's custody, and a failure to provide an updated VA medical examination following indication of worsened impairment.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), left and right lower extremity restless leg syndrome, sinusitis, and denied an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with anterolisthesis and a compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome on a secondary basis.

The Board remands the claim for a cervical spine condition to obtain an adequate medical opinion that addresses all pertinent evidence, including lay statements and in-service activities.

The Board grants service connection for headaches as the evidence supports a direct link to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar sprain and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) as the evidence did not support a higher rating during the appeal period.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions, except for granting earlier effective dates for service connection of left and right shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including lumbosacral strain, tinnitus, right knee disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral hearing loss, sciatica and lumbar radiculopathy, sleep apnea, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.

The Board granted restoration of the 10 percent disability rating for right knee limitation of flexion, status post meniscus tear/repair and granted initial ratings of 30 percent for right knee limitation of extension with painful motion and 20 percent for degenerative arthritis and disc disease with lumbar strain.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, but granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability to obtain additional medical evidence regarding the severity of his condition without the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board granted higher initial ratings for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, as well as an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Board granted service connection for tinea capitis, hypertension, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine but denied service connection for sinusitis and urinary tract infections. The claims for PTSD, hearing loss, chest pain, right hip condition, left hip condition, and right knee condition were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection based on the current medical findings.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches was granted, while the claims for tinnitus and various musculoskeletal conditions were denied or remanded.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability, increased and/or separate ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy, and entitlement to TDIU due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), pain of cervical and cervicothoracic regions, radicular pain and hypoesthesia of left upper extremity, pain and dysfunction of lumbar spine, right sciatic radicular pain, left sciatic radicular pain, right hip pain, left hip pain, right knee pain, left knee pain, post traumatic residual pain of right foot, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and a low back disability to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, migraines headaches, left knee condition, and right knee condition as the evidence did not support the existence of current disabilities related to military service.