Back / lumbar spine — all decisions

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disorder with radiculopathy of the lower extremities and bilateral hip and knee disorders due to the need for VA examinations.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, but granted a separate rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy from October 20, 2020.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for increased ratings and remanded certain issues, including TDIU and SMC.

The Board dismissed the appeal for restoration of a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and a 20 percent rating for lower left extremity radiculopathy as the ratings were restored in an April 30, 2025 Higher-Level Review (HLR) rating decision.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to deficiencies in previous VA medical opinions.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of increased ratings for a lumbar disability and lower extremity radiculopathies, effective August 4, 2022.

The Board granted service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, a skin rash, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, shortness of breath, PTSD, OSA, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, knee disabilities, CPS, and earlier effective dates.

The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and right and left knee disabilities. The claims for headaches, a lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded.

The Board granted a 20 percent initial rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome and service connection for left knee strain, but denied other claims including increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, incomplete right bundle branch block (claimed as cardiac arrhythmia), degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with IVDS, scarring of the left inguinal area, status post varicocele surgery, and service connection for left shoulder strain and restless leg syndrome.

The Board granted the restoration of a 30 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy effective June 26, 2023, as the reduction was improper.

The Board granted service connection for multiple psychiatric and physical disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left foot disability, left lower extremity sciatica, low back disability, and left arm disability.

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder strain as secondary to the service-connected right shoulder osteoarthritis, denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, and remanded the claim for a low back disability as secondary to the service-connected pes planus.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and lumbar spine disability as there were duty to assist errors prior to the May 2025 rating decision.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, to include spinal stenosis, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted service connection for a low back condition based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's low back condition began in and continued since service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, degenerative changes in the lower lumbar spine, and narcolepsy are service-connected. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to these conditions is also granted.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a heart condition, back disability, nodes in lungs, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and sleep disorder to obtain additional evidence.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions without the use of pain medication and securing the credentials of the VA examiners.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence that it met a compensable level during the period on appeal.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease prior to September 9, 2020 and earlier effective dates of March 5, 2020 for the award of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.