Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, but has remanded the issues of an initial compensable rating for hypertension and entitlement to a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine, left shoulder, and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions that consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding symptom onset and continuity.

The Veteran's appeal of his claims for service connection for various conditions has been withdrawn by the Veteran. As a result, all these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various musculoskeletal conditions have been granted, with a specific rating of 40 percent for the right upper extremity weakness resulting from stroke.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and insufficient medical opinion regarding service connection for a back disability.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 26, 2024 for the grant of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal because his request to extend the time to file an appeal was not timely, and good cause for extension had not been shown.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection. The claims for left ankle disability and right hip condition are remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear with degenerative arthritis could have manifested during service, within one year of service, or be otherwise related to service. The remanded opinion will determine this.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance/housebound is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The case will be returned to the RO for further examination and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder condition and a low back condition, but denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient opinions regarding its relationship to his service-connected disabilities and obesity.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.,Lumbar spondylosis, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's eligibility for enrollment in the PCAFC is remanded due to inadequate reasoning and failure to discuss relevant evidence, including VA examination reports and medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that it is related to his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for adjustment disorder with depression, a low back condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy based on new and relevant evidence. The Veteran's claim is granted as his current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 40 percent rating for his lumbar spine condition, effective August 1, 2020. The reduction was not warranted due to continued significant impairment in functioning under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA opinions and examinations. The Veteran's hip and back disabilities are being reviewed again, as well as his anxiety disorder with insomnia.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.,PTSD service connection granted with an effective date of January 27, 2025. The original claim was filed on July 10, 2024.,Claims for left wrist and right wrist disabilities are remanded due to lack of VA examination or medical opinion.,Claims for right shoulder disability and headache disability (tension headaches) are remanded as the VA examiner did not address specific assertions regarding in-service events.,The Veteran's low back disability is diagnosed but a VA examination or medical opinion was not provided.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for RLE and LLE radiculopathy have been dismissed.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for lumbar spine disability has been denied.