Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for back, left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities as the evidence did not show that the Veteran had a current disability at any time during or recent to the pendency of the claim.

The Board granted service connection for a back condition and left lumbar radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her military service.

The Board denied service connection for chronic sinusitis, and denied initial ratings higher than 50 percent for migraines with tension headaches, higher than 40 percent for a low back disability (lumbosacral strain claimed as pain of lumbar spine), and higher than 40 percent for right lower extremity neuropathy. The Board remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety or depressive disorder.

The Board granted the restoration of a 20 percent rating for intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine, effective May 1, 2021. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent was denied.

The Board denied service connection for plantar fasciitis and anxiety, and remanded claims for service connection for GERD, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD and hypertension, and remanded several claims for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and denied service connection for tinnitus. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, as well as entitlement to a TDIU prior to September 17, 2014.

The appeal for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome was dismissed as it was not timely filed.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and remanded the claims for a back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, chest pain, breathing issues, numbness in the hands, and foot pain based on a continuity of symptomatology and presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, and alcohol use disorder but granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral pes planus.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a back condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for a back disability, finding that the claim was not received within one year of the prior denial in October 2016.

The Board granted a 50 percent initial rating for the Veteran's major depressive disorder, recurrent episode, mild and generalized anxiety disorder but denied higher ratings for his lumbosacral strain and left shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, left wrist disability, and sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a temporary total evaluation based on surgical treatment and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to insufficient evidence of severe postoperative residuals or need for regular aid and assistance.

The appeal of the July 14, 2025 rating notification and the July 16, 2025 denial of service connection for a low back disability is dismissed due to an erroneous claims processing error.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a 30 percent evaluation, but no higher, for diarrhea from August 10, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition and neurological disabilities of the bilateral lower extremities to obtain additional medical opinions.