Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain (claimed as back condition) was received within a year of the intent to file, and thus an effective date earlier than January 1, 2024, is denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 50 percent effective February 13, 2021. His left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 80 percent from April 21, 2013 to February 12, 2021. The Veteran's TDIU claim has an earlier effective date of April 21, 2013.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted an increased rating to 40 percent, and service connection for gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as functional abdominal pain syndrome and IBS) is granted. The Veteran's hypertension and left ear hearing loss disability are also granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of October 2, 2017 for the grant of a 20 percent rating for thoracic spine disability is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, which is secondary to her degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, has been remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Board found that VA did not obtain private medical records from Hiro Chiropractic and Springfield Family Physicians, who treated the Veteran during the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of VA examination records, failure to provide adequate notice, and other procedural issues. The Veteran was unable to attend scheduled examinations due to transportation and financial difficulties.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder. Service connection is also granted for hemorrhoids.,An effective date of April 17, 2025, was assigned for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain and other disabilities require the need for aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right leg disability and back disability are not incurred in the line of duty due to his own willful misconduct, resulting in denial of service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities, including neck, back, left foot, left knee, right knee, right foot, and right shoulder disabilities. The Board found insufficient evidence to support presumptive or secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records and potential errors in the RO decision.

The appeal for service connection of left knee condition, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis is dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction over the August 2021 rating decision. Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis are granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a low back condition and an acquired psychiatric disability are dismissed as procedural defects due to the overlapping nature of the appeals.

The Board has determined that the AOJ's determination of a regulatory bar to VA compensation benefits based on willful and persistent misconduct is incorrect due to recent amendments allowing for an evaluation of compelling circumstances, including mental and cognitive impairment as possible mitigating factors. The Board finds it necessary to remand these service connection claims for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 2, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, a back condition, hair loss, a right wrist condition, scars, tinnitus, kidney problems, erectile dysfunction, and left knee condition have been dismissed as the Veteran did not file timely notices of disagreement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hand tingling and numbness, left hand disability, right hand disability, and back disability due to insufficient opinions in the February 2025 VA examinations.

The appeal of depression, anxiety, and distress is dismissed as the Veteran's PTSD encompassing these symptoms was granted. The respiratory disability (asthma) claim is granted. Tinnitus and lumbar spine and ankle disabilities are also granted. Bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denies his claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's conditions are found to have manifested during active service and have been continuous since separation.