Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his lumbar strain is denied. The claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are granted, but the claim for service connection for stomach or gastrointestinal disability (to include gastroparesis, peptic ulcer disease, and esophageal varices) is remanded, as is the claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition has been granted as new and relevant evidence has been presented. The claims of service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy/radiculopathy and right lower extremity neuropathy are remanded due to the inextricability with the low back condition.

The Veteran's cervical strain and lumbosacral strain disabilities have been rated based on their severity, with the insomnia (now classified as generalized anxiety disorder) disability being rated separately. The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction.,For cervical strain, the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions including bilateral shoulder arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, neck pain, arthritis of the low back, and right hand arthritis due to inconsistencies in his statements regarding the onset and chronicity of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and awarded a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current back pain is not related to his in-service injury and does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine condition is related to his active-duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back condition. The claim will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to the need for additional evidence, specifically missing treatment records from John Lierly at Lakewood Behavioral Health.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent, the rhinitis with deviated septum was rated noncompensable, sinusitis was rated noncompensable, migraines were rated noncompensable, and ingrown toenail was not service-connected.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to his back disability. The decision also grants readjudication of the claim.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine DJD, effective from January 23, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spinal condition due to her failure to report for an August 2024 VA examination, and there is no competent evidence linking her current disability to her in-service complaints of back pain.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted a 10% rating, effective May 1, 2018. The Board denied the claim for TDIU due to lack of substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The low back disability was granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher. Other conditions had their ratings denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 30 percent for his service-connected left shoulder disability is denied from March 8, 2024 to July 30, 2024. Service connection for the claimed 'muscle hernia' and low back disability are also denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted based on his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The SMC housebound and aid and attendance claims are denied due to lack of evidence showing the need for regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of July 15, 2013 for the grant of service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted. The initial rating for a left shoulder disability remains at 20 percent. The claim for TDIU earlier than September 25, 2020 is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for ratings in excess of 10 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to consider the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's lumbosacral strain.