Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, liver cirrhosis, interstitial cystitis, liver cancer, and sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for a thoracolumbar spine disability and left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence supporting current diagnoses.

The Board granted service connection for a lower back condition and a gastrointestinal condition, but denied an earlier effective date and higher rating for tinnitus. The claims for other conditions were either reopened or remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, sleep apnea, and chronic sinusitis prior to August 10, 2022, as these claims were granted in full by a September 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings and service connection, resulting in the dismissal of all appeals.

The Board granted ratings for several knee and back conditions, including a 10 percent rating for left knee instability from June 12, 2006, to May 31, 2023, and a 20 percent rating for right sciatic radiculopathy and left sciatic radiculopathy starting January 28, 2025.

The Veteran's depressive disorder alone rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and she is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, cervical spine disability, and sciatic nerve conditions of both lower extremities as there was no evidence to support that these disabilities were related to his military service.

The Board remands the matter for a new VA opinion to address the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and provide retrospective estimates of functional loss.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, status post lumbar surgery, and associated radiculopathies of the lower extremities, as well as painful scars due to lower back surgery, effective July 17, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and remanded other claims for further development.

The Board remands the claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for DDD of the lumbar spine prior to April 12, 2022, due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the condition without medication and missing private treatment records.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for low back, neck, and right shoulder disabilities, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, to obtain a new medical opinion and additional evidence.

The Board granted service connection for a low back condition, finding that it was caused by the Veteran's service-connected right knee condition.

The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for a lumbosacral strain is dismissed due to the untimely filing of the necessary forms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for a back disability and radiculopathy of both lower extremities, as the evidence did not support an earlier date than February 20, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory condition, bilateral hearing loss, and an increased initial rating for left knee arthroscopy residuals. The claims for service connection for penile, back, right knee, and left shoulder conditions were remanded.

The Board granted an increased rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from February 1, 2022, and a 30 percent initial rating for chronic sinusitis (also claimed as headaches).

The Board remands the claims for service connection for COPD and a low back disability to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent disability rating for his lumbar spine disability, as it was not factually ascertainable that the increase in disability had occurred prior to July 19, 2023.