Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for her service-connected psychiatric disability is denied. The claim for an increased rating on lumbosacral strain remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hip and knee disabilities due to a duty to assist error, requiring additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain an examination, and the Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability is now pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, vertigo, sinusitis, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, coronary artery disease, plantar fasciitis, hypertension, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), lumbar strain, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis have been granted. However, the claims for service connection for vertigo as secondary to tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 30 percent disability rating, but no higher. The Board found the Veteran's symptoms most closely approximated migraines with characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once a month on average over the last several months.,The Veteran is denied TDIU solely due to his service-connected psychiatric disability. The Board noted that the October 2021 VA examiner did not note characteristic prostrating attacks, and the Veteran's reported symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome; lumbosacral strain; sacroiliac weakness; sacroiliac joint osteoarthritis, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for sleep apnea as it was granted in a separate appeal.,Service connection is granted for a back disability, with continuity of symptoms since service. The Veteran's bladder cancer is found to be secondary to his service-connected genital herpes.

The Veteran's back condition, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis, started during service and continues to the present. The Veteran's tension headaches are related to his back condition. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is related to the Veteran's diagnosed obesity and his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, LLR, and RLR are not rated higher than the current 20 percent due to lack of evidence showing more severe symptoms or functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, back condition, right knee condition, right foot condition, and neck condition have been dismissed as they are pending in a concurrent legacy appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to higher ratings for left and right knee strains, as well as service connection for a back disability due to a regulatory error in notification.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The case is being remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, manifested by degenerative changes (arthritis) of the lumbar spine, was found to have been present within one year of separation from active service. Service connection is granted on a presumptive basis.

The August 1996 rating decision denied service connection for a back condition due to the claim being considered not well-grounded, as there was no current disability and no evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions including an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic pain and fatigue, psoriatic arthritis, bilateral shoulder disorder, and low back disorder due to a failure to provide notice of the right to a hearing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for her thoracolumbar spine disability and for SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to insufficient development of evidence.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals because his requests to appeal were not timely filed, and he did not provide good cause for the delay.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and allergic rhinitis as the May 2025 VA Form 10182, which was signed by the appellant's representative, did not comply with claims processing rules.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.