Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less. The Veteran's anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, respiratory disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral flat feet, and tinea pedis are all denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral flatfoot, and left and right knee disabilities have been granted with effective dates of December 5, 2020. The Board found that the Veteran had submitted new evidence to reopen her claims.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions due to the death of the Veteran.

Service connection is granted for low back condition, cervical spine condition, right knee condition, right shoulder condition, and right wrist condition.,Service connection is granted for headache condition, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy as proximately caused by now-service connected cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's ratings for right upper extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability were reduced from their previous levels to lower ones effective August 8, 2023, August 5, 2023, and August 5, 2023 respectively. The appeals for restoration of these ratings are denied.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy disability was reduced from 40 percent to 20 percent effective August 8, 2023. This reduction is based on actual improvement in the disability under ordinary conditions of life.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was reduced from 30 percent to 20 percent effective August 5, 2023. The reduction is due to actual improvement in the disability under ordinary conditions of life.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent effective August 5, 2023. This reduction is based on actual improvement in the disability under ordinary conditions of life.

The Board has dismissed all appeals concerning service connection for various conditions as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service back injury. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial ratings for lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted at a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the October 2020 decision.,Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for residual scar has been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, neck pain, and upper back conditions due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran contends that his current disabilities are related to an in-service injury during a softball game.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that it is related to an ejection seat accident in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his cervical spine condition, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disability and his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, effective July 23, 2018. The right ear hearing loss service connection claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's effective date for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea has been granted as of June 17, 2017.,Service connection for headaches, low back disability, left knee disability, left thigh disability, limitation of extension and flexion of the left hip have all been granted with an effective date of June 17, 2017.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The appeal for neck disability was withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral leg disabilities are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted. The claims for higher ratings for migraine headaches, mitral valve prolapse, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, low back disability, and sciatic radicular pain of both lower extremities are also remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to onset during ACDUTRA.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as the evidence does not support a link between in-service exposure and current condition.,Low back disability is granted as service connection due to pre-existing condition aggravated by active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to her military service and did not manifest within one year of separation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his back disability and skin disability have been dismissed due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and right-sided sciatica pain. The claims are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.