Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine condition, finding that it began during his active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities due to duty to assist errors. Additional VA examinations are required.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records, including a lack of complete STRs and military personnel records from the Veteran's National Guard service. The VA is required to locate these missing records.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates regarding his sciatic and femoral nerve lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Board granted an effective date of July 23, 2018, for a 30 percent rating for allergic rhinitis.,The Board granted an effective date of July 23, 2018, for a 100 percent rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder, anxious distress, intermittent explosive disorder, insomnia disorder, and alcohol use disorder.,The Board granted an effective date of July 23, 2018, for a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current disability and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome and radiculopathies aided in his death from traumatic asphyxia caused by a fence falling on him. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining workers' compensation records and providing addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability. The issues of service connection for a back disability and entitlement to a temporary total evaluation due to treatment requiring convalescence for a service-connected condition are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.,New and relevant evidence has been submitted, and readjudication is warranted for all issues related to service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and lumbosacral strain due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and degenerative facet disease was granted an effective date of October 16, 2014.,Separate 10 percent ratings for right knee instability were granted from October 16, 2014.,Separate 10 percent ratings for left knee instability were granted from October 16, 2014.,A 50 percent rating for sleep apnea was granted effective January 12, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain VA medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which contributed to his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity lumbosacral radiculopathy have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability, right hip disability, low back disability, and tinnitus are all granted service connection.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded. The Veteran's right lower arm condition is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disability, finding that new and relevant evidence supports these claims. The Veteran's current conditions are linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error related to asbestos exposure and noise exposure. The AOJ will need to verify the Veteran's reported exposures during his active service in the Navy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of migraine headaches, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and a respiratory disability (reduced lung capacity) due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran was not afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and origin of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability is denied. The issue of a higher rating for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected DDD thoracolumbar spine and associated radiculopathies of the lower extremities have caused a loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating regular and constant use of assistive devices such as canes. As a result, eligibility for specially adapted housing has been granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is restored to a 40% rating, and his right hip femoral acetabular impingement syndrome is restored to a 10% rating.,A 10% rating for the right hip femoral acetabular impingement syndrome is granted based on limitation of flexion. The Veteran's claim for higher ratings remains pending.