Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD with other specified depressive disorder and multiple wrist and finger pain conditions.

The appeal was denied due to the untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.

The Board granted an effective date of April 10, 2015, for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and granted initial ratings of 40 percent for both right and left lower extremity radiculopathy from April 10, 2015, to June 1, 2020.

The appeals for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, lumbar spinal stenosis, and psychiatric disorders were dismissed due to untimely notice of disagreement. The proposed rating reductions for lower extremity radiculopathy were also dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, a left leg disability as secondary to the back disability, and insomnia disorder as secondary to the back disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left hip disability as secondary to the back disability was remanded.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain and denied or remanded the other issues on appeal.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine disability, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left foot crush injury, and sciatic radiculopathy of both lower extremities, also secondary to the newly service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis.

The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and special monthly compensation based on the need of regular aid and attendance, while remanding the issue of service connection for a seizures disorder.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability for further development and an adequate medical examination.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, emphysema, a chest wall condition, PTSD, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, chronic, a low back condition, TBI, and a chest tumor.

The appeal was granted for service connection for latent tuberculosis and dermatitis of the face, while other claims were denied.

The veteran withdrew all pending appeals on April 28, 2025.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including thoracolumbar and cervical spine conditions, preclude locomotion without the aid of a walker, warranting eligibility for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal of all claims currently pending before the Board, including those for an earlier effective date for hypothyroidism and higher ratings for various conditions.

The Board remands the matter for an opinion addressing the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis, without considering the beneficial effects of medication.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for hypertension and granted an increased rating of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease from April 13, 2022. The effective date for the right lower extremity radiculopathy was also granted as May 10, 2016.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's back disability, finding that it manifests as the functional equivalent of favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board remands the issues of increased rating for back disability, service connection for sleep apnea, left heel, and hemorrhoids, as well as entitlement to a TDIU prior to August 1, 2025, for additional development.