Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow any substantially gainful employment prior to July 12, 2023.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, psychiatric disorder, and TDIU due to issues with the adequacy of the medical opinions provided and the failure to fulfill the duty to assist.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee condition, disability manifested by joint pain (claimed as polyarthritis), and low back disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a direct relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability and bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by her military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity prior to September 6, 2023 is being remanded due to insufficient development and need for a new opinion from a qualified examiner.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 15, 2018, in excess of 20 percent prior to August 4, 2025, and a rating in excess of 40 percent thereafter for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is granted a 20 percent rating prior to July 15, 2019 and a 40 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each granted a 40 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to inadequate examination and unclear evidence regarding its onset in or relation to active service.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, and right knee strain were granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain and associated radiculopathy, as well as his claim for service connection for a left knee condition, are being remanded due to inadequate examinations in the past.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his lumbar spine disability was granted with an effective date of May 30, 2024.,The appeals for the awards of service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy were dismissed as they have already been granted in full.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of his reports of flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, insomnia disorder, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbosacral strain, labyrinthitis with paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

VA has granted service connection for GERD effective July 22, 2009. The Veteran's claims for asthma, left shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability were reopened based on new evidence submitted in May 2023.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, cervical spine condition, and back condition (to include cancer).

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted a 20% disability rating for lumbar radiculopathy, but denied higher ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis and a compensable disability rating for the lumbar trunk scar.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the condition preexisted service and was not aggravated by service. The presumption of soundness is rebutted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back, right hip, left hip, and left hand disabilities due to a lack of consideration of VA treatment records from Loma Linda VAMC.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, including radiculopathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported in-service injuries and current medical diagnoses.