Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for migraine headaches and service connection for right ear hearing loss have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing her appeals.,Service connection has been granted for a lumbar spine disability, tailbone pain (coccyx fracture), and tinnitus on a direct basis.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety disorder, sleep apnea (not secondary to a service-connected disability), and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection.,Service connection for tinnitus was not established as the evidence did not show it was related to service.

The Veteran's cervicalgia with right upper extremity radiculitis is granted as secondary to his service-connected postoperative repair for chronic dislocation of the right shoulder. The low back disability issue is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right knee strain, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back disability, finding that it began during active service and is related to military service.

The Board has granted effective dates of October 13, 2022 for the service connection of headaches, a cervical disability, right shoulder impairment of the humerus, right shoulder limitation of motion, right hip limitation of flexion, right hip limitation of extension, right hip impairment of the thigh and back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in, at minimum, the effective loss of use of one foot. The criteria for establishing eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment have been met.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a left shoulder condition and lumbosacral strain was dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious distress is being remanded for a more detailed opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The Veteran is required to provide authorization or submit private treatment records from the 'JHH system' regarding his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for a left ankle condition, bilateral foot condition, and back condition/scoliosis due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The Veteran's scoliosis is found to be aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating, effective June 5, 2023. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination reports and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, finding that his current diagnoses were not related to his active service or any chronic condition shown in service. The Board concluded that the Veteran's back pain did not start during service and was not continuous since then.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, and left shoulder disability due to inadequate VA opinions. The cases will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for upper back, cervical spine, right ankle, left ankle, right hip, left hip, right wrist, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence establishing an in-service injury or disease that caused the current conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee patella femoral pain syndrome, left knee patella femoral pain syndrome, and lumbar stenosis as new and relevant evidence had not been received to readjudicate these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back disability and bilateral hip pain due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. VA examinations are needed to assess the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and thoracolumbar spine disability due to insufficient medical evidence regarding their etiology, particularly in relation to service. The claims are being returned for further development.