Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a left arm disability and blurred vision have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various foot, knee, hip, back, neck, and headache disabilities are being remanded.

The Veteran's low back, right ankle, and right knee disabilities are granted as service-connected. The left lower extremity scar and bilateral hydroceles with right epididymal cyst do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy caused an inability to protect himself against daily environment hazards starting October 20, 2020. Effective October 20, 2020, the Veteran is granted SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for L3 nerve root impairment radiculopathy was dismissed. The Board restored the 40 percent rating for degenerative disease of thoracolumbar spine, effective December 6, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims were denied. The rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder was denied, as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Hypertension and allergic rhinitis were also denied as they did not meet the required diagnostic criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to use a mobility scooter for SAH. The Veteran needs an examination to determine if his conditions have worsened enough to require SAH.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for leukocytosis is granted. The Board finds the evidence in balance, granting the benefit of doubt to the Veteran.,For his spine disability, the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent is denied as there is no evidence showing forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or incapacitating episodes in the past year.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer, increased rating for left foot hallux valgus, and TDIU due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the appellant. The low back disability claim remains on appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve are all granted service connection. The Board found that these conditions are related to his in-service injuries and duties.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Board Appeal request was not filed within one year of the rating decision, and no extension of time to file an appeal was granted due to lack of good cause.

The Veteran's claim for travel expenses to the Reno VAMC on May 18, 2022 was granted as he could not have received his primary care at a closer VA facility.

The appeal for service connection of anemia is dismissed. The appeals for service connection of low back pain and hip osteoarthritis are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and cervical spine degenerative disc disease are remanded due to inadequate pre-decisional duty to assist errors.,The Veteran's secondary service connection claim for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is also remanded as the AOJ failed to identify and develop a potential intermediate step of obesity as an intermediate factor in causing his OSA. The toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) associated with the Veteran's service locations prior to August 10, 2022, is also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TERA related to burn pit exposure is remanded due to inadequate pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, lumbar myelopathy, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and loss of use of bladder, to include with catheter. The Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence or medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, psychiatric disorder, and eye disorder. The evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no current disability found.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, and left hip disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board found that the reduction in VA disability compensation for the purpose of recouping military drill pay for 16 days during FY 2019 was proper, and denied the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records related to the Veteran's disability benefits application. The AOJ is directed to obtain these records and consider them in their decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder pain, right hip strain, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is instructed to verify all periods of active duty reserve (ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA) and obtain addendum opinions from VA examiners.

Effective September 1, 2019, the Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.