Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, solar lentigines, and acne as manifestations of a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (MUCMI), while denying an increased rating for PTSD with residuals of traumatic brain injury. The Board also granted initial ratings for migraine and tension headaches, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board remands the claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain due to insufficient evidence in the current VA examination report.

The Board restored a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, which is claimed as secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, granted a 30% rating for IBS, and granted an effective date of October 3, 2022 for the grant of service connection for IBS. The low back disability and radiculopathy issues were remanded.

The Board granted the Veteran's appeal for service connection for radiculopathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves, but denied it for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis. Agent fees were awarded in part.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and neck disability to correct duty-to-assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, tension headaches, and GAD, but denied service connection for high blood pressure. The Veteran's claims for other disabilities were remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus was granted, while the appeals for diabetes mellitus type II and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy were withdrawn. The claim for a low back disorder is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection for various conditions, as well as initial ratings higher than noncompensable for dermatitis and hypertension, and a rating higher than 20 percent for lumbar spine strain.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and lumbosacral disability as there are pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors requiring further development.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a left knee disability, and a low back disability.

The Board denied a higher initial disability rating for the service-connected lateral collateral ligament sprain and granted service connection for degenerative disc disease with lumbar facet arthropathy as secondary to the left ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease and chronic bronchitis, as the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to July 1, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for hemorrhoids but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and a back disability.

The Veteran is granted a Total Disability Rating for Compensation and Special Monthly Compensation based on statutory housebound status due to his service-connected degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, which render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The claims for higher initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, and left ankle strain are remanded due to inadequate VA compensation examination reports.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, left ankle disability, and right elbow disability after new evidence was submitted. The claim for a right shoulder disability was denied. Various knee and scar ratings were either granted or denied.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease with dorsalgia and an effective date earlier than April 19, 2023, for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease with dorsalgia.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of cervical spine degenerative disc disease, as the claim was received more than one year after the prior denial.