Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as it was not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 15, 2013 for the grant of an increased 40 percent rating for a low back disability. The other issues were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several claims for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and lumbosacral strain, based on the Veteran's consistent account of having low back problems since service.

The Board remands the matter of entitlement to service connection for a low back condition due to inadequate medical opinion and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and left knee disability as the evidence did not show that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that it clearly and unmistakably pre-existed active service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board granted service connection for gout but denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease/degenerative arthritis, and hypertension.

The Board granted compensation and service connection for various conditions, including those under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for migraines, left and right leg shin splints, lumbar spine herniated disk, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis and right knee meniscal tear for a statement of the case.

The Veteran was granted a higher rating of 50 percent for his lumbar spine disability, service connection for bowel and bladder incontinence as secondary to the lumbar spine disability, TDIU from May 11, 2011, to May 10, 2012, but SMC at the housebound rate was denied.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and a bilateral foot disability, as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The claims for higher initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hip and knee disabilities, but denied service connection for an upper back disability.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy. The claims for left upper extremity neuropathy and right upper extremity neuropathy were denied. The claims for erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence related to hemorrhoids are remanded.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an abnormal gait, right ankle synovitis, right ankle scars, Morton's neuroma, right hammer toe, and a low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, tinea pedis and onychomycosis, and migraine headaches.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition, left knee condition, and obstructive sleep apnea to correct duty to assist errors.

The appeal for a higher disability rating for service-connected hypertension was denied, while the claim for a higher disability rating for lumbosacral strain was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy based on the evidence showing a relationship to the Veteran's active service.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's current low back condition and his in-service injury.