Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and requires additional medical findings addressing the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, discounting the beneficial effects of his medication use.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spondylolisthesis, finding that there is no evidence linking the current disability to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted, with the Veteran credibly reporting that his tinnitus began in-service and continues to this day.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including failure to notify the appellant of scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acute kidney failure and lumbar degenerative disc disease, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding VA treatment records and TERA participation. The Veteran's cardiac disability claim is being addressed as it relates to physical trauma.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity is now rated at 20 percent, effective June 20, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disability, chronic right shin splints, and chronic left shin splints. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered direct service connection due to the in-service onset of symptoms.

The Veteran's lumbosacral back strain with IVDS, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for mood disorder due to chronic pain as secondary to his service-connected conditions of residuals right radial fracture, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand neuropathy and left hand neuropathy, as well as her request for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for her lumbar spine disability. The evidence did not support a finding of current diagnoses or a causal relationship to military service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and lumbosacral strain have been granted service connection. The Board also remanded the claims for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder and a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination report.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The character of discharge determination is also required.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy as secondary to his service-connected left leg disability. The medical evidence supports that the appellant's abnormal gait due to his service-connected leg disability caused irritation of the spine and subsequent onset of musculoskeletal pain in the lumbar region.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a separate 20 percent rating for lumbar degenerative arthritis is denied. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since February 3, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for an updated VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right lateral collateral ligament sprain, lumbar strain, and right wrist tendonitis. The conditions had their onset in service and are related to his documented injuries during active duty.

New evidence has been received sufficient to warrant readjudication of the appeal for service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The claim will be remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's current respiratory condition, including chronic bronchitis and asthmatic symptoms, is deemed to be related to his in-service asbestos exposure.,The Veteran's low back condition, specifically spondylosis, is also found to be related to his in-service injury.