Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death and the invalidity of the April 2020 VA Form 9, which was signed by his attorney after he had passed away.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and erectile dysfunction are each granted initial ratings of 40 percent effective April 14, 2011.,Additionally, the Veteran is granted a TDIU from April 14, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his right eye condition, as well as the severity of his back disability prior to March 25, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether PTSD is caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including PFB, back disorder, migraines, respiratory disorder (asthma), GERD, and stomach disorder have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder pain and degenerative disc disease. Service connection for hypertension is denied. The ratings for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy sciatic nerve, and right upper extremity radiculopathy lower radicular group are restored or maintained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensable ratings for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, back disability, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, TBI, pes planus, COPD, and GERD. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's back condition is related to a fall from a military vehicle during active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The Board finds that the current disability and in-service injury elements of service connection are met, and after resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, grants service connection for his back condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, hemorrhoids, and migraine headaches were granted with an effective date of January 25, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a back condition including osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, intervertebral disc syndrome, and status-post lumbar laminectomy, and degenerative arthritis of the bilateral hands. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted effective dates of August 12, 2024 for the awards of a 50% rating for sinusitis and a 40% rating for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine. Service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve was also granted effective on that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining certain medical records and a need for an examination. The Veteran's lower back disability is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain and spondylosis is dismissed as a freestanding claim.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder unspecified is granted with a 70 percent rating effective from December 8, 2022.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted with a 40 percent rating effective from July 2, 2024.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from November 21, 2019. The right hip disability service connection claim is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether his current condition is related to an injury sustained during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and migraine headaches, but denied service connection for low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, voiding dysfunction, GERD, hypertension, OSA, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and low back disorder were denied. The effective dates for these conditions are not specified as they have been granted on a direct basis.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and left knee strain have been granted with an effective date of May 30, 2019.