Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of VA examinations and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims for service connection for tinnitus, low back pain, and left shoulder dislocation are pending.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, as it was incurred during service due to exposure to loud noise.,Service connection is denied for left knee patella tendon tear (status post repair), as the current condition did not have its onset during a period of honorable service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective August 21, 2019. Service connection for sleep apnea and lumbosacral strain are granted. The Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected disabilities other than PTSD is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities on a causation basis, with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's appeals for tinnitus, hemorrhoids, benign prostatic hyperplasia, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and erectile dysfunction have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a back condition has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current disability is due to an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The reduction of the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disability ratings from 40% to 20% was improper, and the prior ratings are restored.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is etiologically related to service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies are granted, effective from January 31, 2013. A TDIU is also granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals pertaining to effective dates for increased ratings of chronic lumbar strain and LLE radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran did not properly opt into the AMA system.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was granted, including a 10% rating for coccyx disability and separate ratings for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity tibial radiculopathy.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spine condition (lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with spondylolisthesis) was denied, as the disability did not meet criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder and radiculopathy of both lower extremities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to a lack of VA examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence, including his National Guard service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC at the A&A rate was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not result in a need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right knee arthritis, migraines, and obstructive sleep apnea are related to or were otherwise incurred during service.,The Veteran's cervicogenic headaches are due to his service-connected cervical degenerative arthritis.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders as these conditions are not shown to be related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right foot conditions, as well as left and right knee conditions, which the Veteran contends began during active service. The Board also found that the Veteran's back condition began during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The low back disorder claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability in some cases and the need for further medical evaluation in others.