Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his spine and radiculopathy conditions, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy and right knee condition are all granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance for the period of February 27, 2014, to January 14, 2019, and from September 1, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis is remanded due to inadequate examination report.

The petition to readjudicate the previously denied claims of service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The claim of service connection for hypertension and COPD/chronic bronchitis is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No rating decisions were made on any of the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the VA examination provided in July 2024 is internally inconsistent and requires further clarification.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease and strain of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease left shoulder, and degenerative joint disease right shoulder have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathies are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for the claimed conditions is established based on direct evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine condition has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that new and relevant evidence supports a link between his in-service injury and current condition.

The Veteran's disability ratings for low back, tinnitus, and GERD were reduced to 20%, but the rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted. The reduction in the low back rating is upheld.

The Board has remanded the claims for a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed lumbosacral and right hip disabilities are related to service, as well as an addendum medical opinion addressing whether these conditions had their onset in service or are otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine conditions are found to be related to service, while his right shoulder and knee conditions are not. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the decision on appeal is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, and further examination and medical opinions are needed regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, lower back condition, and a right leg length discrepancy due to new evidence received after an August 2021 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 40 percent.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claim for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome (claimed as lower back injury) is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The issue of an increased rating for residuals of fracture of the left great toe remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea on a secondary basis were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. Claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine pain, left shoulder tendinitis (from August 9, 2023), left wrist sprain, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome were denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for lumbar spine, bilateral hips, bilateral knees, and cervical spine due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of his appeal.