Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 20 percent for status post lumbar spinal decompression and right L3-L4 partial laminectomy with degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis is remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's eligibility for enrollment in VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to her not requiring personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on an inability to perform one or more activities of daily living, a need for supervision or protection, or a need for regular or extensive instruction without which the ability to function in daily life would be seriously impaired.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is due to his service-connected TBI and bilateral photophobia with optic atrophy, which the Board finds sufficient for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, sciatic nerve, is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, sciatic nerve, is dismissed.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for ratings in excess of 20 percent, 10 percent, and 10 percent for the specified conditions. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of the increased 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain is denied as there is no persuasive evidence showing that the disability had been manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankyloses of the entire thoracolumbar spine prior to August 20, 2019.

The Veteran's cause of death, a fatal motor vehicle accident, was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The Board found the VA medical opinions more probative than the private medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate examinations, including those related to his lumbar spine and right leg sciatica. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has found that the Veteran experienced arthritis of the bilateral shoulders, hips, lumbar spine, and left knee since active duty service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial rating for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent rating.,The Veteran's initial rating for chronic neck pain (neck disability) is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's increased rating for low back pain (back disability) is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's increased rating for left shoulder impingement (left shoulder disorder) is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's increased rating for right shoulder impingement (right shoulder disorder) is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's initial rating for deviated nasal septum is granted with a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Low Back Disorder with Radiculopathy, finding that the conditions were not incurred in or related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to incomplete evidence and an error in satisfying a regulatory or statutory duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and low back disability due to a lack of adequate VA examinations and opinions. The AOJ must schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations and obtain etiology opinions related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, and PTSD due to inadequate medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for left arm condition, bilateral knee conditions, bilateral hip conditions, and low back conditions. The Veteran's reports of in-service noise exposure are credible, but the evidence does not support a finding that his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a tailbone cyst is granted. The case is remanded to determine the etiology of his low back disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected conditions, finding that he was not precluded from obtaining and/or maintaining gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine condition and dismissed the claim for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound status as moot, as the full benefit sought has already been granted throughout the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is due to his service-connected PTSD, which restricts his ability to manage medications, handle finances, and prepare meals. The evidence also indicates that he requires assistance with activities of daily living due to his service-connected lumbar spine condition.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on loss of use of any extremity as none of his service-connected conditions result in such impairment.