Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The appeal of the deferred issue of a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected OSA is dismissed.,The appeal of an increased rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 70% rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine disability was denied. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA were granted but with no earlier date than January 25, 2020.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and has been granted service connection.,There is no evidence of a diagnosed bilateral eye condition for VA purposes, and the claim for service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has found that the previous VA examinations and opinions were inadequate in addressing the Veteran's lay evidence of service connection for a low back condition and right knee condition. The case is being remanded to obtain new medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, left shin splint disability, right shin splint disability, and gastroenteritis. The evidence does not support a finding of an in-service disease or injury related to these conditions, nor is there sufficient evidence to establish continuity of symptomatology following service discharge.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been granted a maximum 50 percent rating, which is the highest available under current criteria.,Service connection has been established for left hip and low back disorders.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected low back, left knee (limitation of flexion), left knee (instability), right knee (limitation of flexion), and right knee (instability) disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing all issues on appeal through his attorney.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, diagnosed as tendonitis, is granted service connection.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted service connection. The Board notes that the evidence does not specify a particular type of exposure basis for this condition.,Service connection for cervical spine disability and lower back disability are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.,Service connection for bilateral toe disability (claimed as residuals from bilateral great toes surgery) is remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.,Service connection for left ankle disability and right knee disability are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and DEA were denied as there was no factual basis to grant earlier effective dates prior to July 25, 2022.

The Board has granted effective dates of November 6, 2021, for the grant of service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve).

The Veteran's eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to a lack of explanation in the April 2021 decision regarding whether participation in the program was in his best interest. The Board finds that the Veteran requires personal care services due to disabilities including posttraumatic stress disorder, tension headaches, and others.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain an adequate medical determination prior to the decision, and for issues related to eligibility for PCAFC benefits. The matter is being returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 31, 2023 for the awards of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and asthma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denied entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's asthma, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, acne, tinea pedis with calluses, eczema antecubital areas of both arms, and GERD are all rated at the minimum levels. The Veteran's unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder is not rated higher than 50 percent. Pseudofolliculitis barbae, left knee strain, and right knee strain have been remanded for further review.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, finding that the current disability was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Appellant's statements regarding continuity of symptoms were deemed non-credible, and her medical opinion linking the disability to service was found to have no probative value.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy, acquired psychiatric disorder with bruxism, allergic rhinitis, eczema, hemorrhoids, IBS, bilateral eye disability, and tinnitus have been granted effective July 30, 2022.,The Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, right upper extremity radiculopathy, acquired psychiatric disorder with bruxism, allergic rhinitis, eczema, hemorrhoids, IBS, bilateral eye disability, and tinnitus have been granted effective July 30, 2022.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of November 26, 2019 for the grants of service connection for PTSD with panic attacks, lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.