Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's attempts to appeal his service connection claim for degenerative arthritis as secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease were denied. The Board also remanded the issues of a rating greater than 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and TDIU.

The Veteran's recurrent right shoulder degenerative changes to include chronic pain are granted as secondary to the service-connected left shoulder osteoarthritis. The effective date for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain is set at April 23, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to her service-connected low back, right lower extremity, and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU was awarded based on his service-connected low back disability alone from January 26, 2009. From September 22, 2015, he has additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at a combined rating of more than 60 percent, qualifying him for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to issues with obtaining medical records, including those from private providers and through VA referral programs. The AOJ is also required to investigate whether the Veteran participated in any toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective date of the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease was not earlier than August 8, 2023.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders are found to be related to his active duty service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including an in-service rappelling accident.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, and a back disability. Service connection was granted for left and right carpal tunnel syndromes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with arthritis was granted, receiving an initial disability rating of 40 percent. The other service connection claims were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not eligible for benefits under VA's PCAFC program as he does not require personal care services due to inability to perform ADLs or need for supervision, protection, or instruction.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and left shoulder impingement syndrome, finding no current diagnosed disabilities that meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during active service or is related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for this condition is granted.,His low back disability, initially incurred during his first period of active service and exacerbated by a fellow servicemember jumping on his back during IDT, is found to be related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's disability ratings for left knee ankylosis and lumbar degenerative disc disease were reduced, but the reductions are being remanded due to procedural issues.,The reduction in the rating for left knee ankylosis from 50% to non-compensable was improper.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the failure to file a timely Notice of Disagreement. The appeal for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain is remanded, as are the issues regarding reactive airway disease.

The Board dismissed the appeal for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection was granted for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer, lumbar spine pain, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis and lumbosacral spine degenerative changes with spasm are rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines. The Veteran was granted a 20 percent disability rating for his left shoulder status post rotator cuff repair and Mumford procedure, right shoulder impingement status post subacromial decompression, hemorrhoids, and chronic right ankle sprains status post excision ganglion cyst with residual scar.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to readjudicate the claims for service connection involving right hip strain, left hip condition, left knee chronic pain, stiffness, and swelling, right knee strain, and lumbosacral strain. The claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain, bilateral pes planus, left foot status post ORIF, left knee strain, and low back disability.