Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, and hypertension was denied. The rating for IVDS with bilateral facet arthropathy thoracolumbar spondylosis is not met as the evidence did not show forward flexion to 60 degrees or less, combined range of motion of 120 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour, or ankylosis (or its functional equivalent).,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right and left lower extremity radiculopathies were not met as the evidence did not show at least moderate incomplete paralysis of the femoral nerve or sciatic nerve. The rating for hypertension was also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to readjudicate his claims for service connection for a left knee disability and a lumbar strain. The cases are now remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left shoulder and hand disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and back pain. The evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.,No VA examination or medical opinion was provided in relation to these claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, thus remanding the case.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding the service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, including as aggravated by service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD).

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for Crohn's disease, fibromyalgia, neck pain, and back pain due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining adequate opinions regarding the onset of these conditions.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a back condition, finding that the evidence did not support a claim of carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA in providing treatment.

The Veteran's appeal for individual unemployability (TDIU) and service connection for sinusitis and abdominal pain, residuals, removal of colon, severe constipation were dismissed due to duty to assist errors found in the August 2021 rating decision.,Residuals of a menstrual disorder, to include status post hysterectomy; residuals, removal of gallbladder; GERD with acid reflux disease and epigastric pain; lumbar spine condition; radiculopathy, right lower extremity; radiculopathy, left lower extremity; dry eye syndrome; left knee pain; right shoulder pain; left shoulder pain; and right ankle condition were all granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are remanded due to the need for further development of his medical records. The Board will consider all submitted evidence, including private treatment records, during its review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected back disorder and obesity (as an intermediate step).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a VA spine examination to determine if any lumbar spine disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not support a finding of entitlement to an increased rating for this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the entire period on appeal.,For the entire period on appeal, a disability rating of 40 percent is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve associated with lumbar spine fusion, L3-L4 and L5-S1.,Prior to June 13, 2023, a disability rating of 40 percent is granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve associated with lumbar spine fusion, L3-L4 and L5-S1. From June 13, 2023, no higher rating is granted.,From June 13, 2023, a disability rating higher than 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve associated with lumbar spine fusion, L3-L4 and L5-S1 is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral radiculopathy disorder and chronic kidney disease due to a lack of an adequate VA examination. The Veteran's participation in toxic exposure risk activities is conceded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 10 percent since October 19, 1993, and increased to 20 percent effective March 3, 2023.,The Board is remanding the issues of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the period prior to March 2, 2022, and in excess of 20 percent from March 3, 2022, to March 2, 2023.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability and right knee strain, finding that these conditions began in service and have persisted since separation.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including residuals of heat exhaustion, chronic headaches, skin disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities, bilateral foot disabilities, lumbar spine disabilities, and radicular pain. Service connection is denied for hypertension, IBS, and OSA.

The Veteran's tinnitus, gout in the right hand and bilateral lower extremities, and sleep apnea are granted service connection. The Veteran's hypertension, arthritis, neck condition, restless leg syndrome, sciatica, and back condition are denied service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of a back and right knee disability as secondary to left knee chondromalacia due to inadequate medical opinions addressing both causation and aggravation. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, lumbosacral strain, and right hip strain are being remanded due to the need for VA medical opinions regarding direct service connection and efforts to obtain private treatment records.