Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as her service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful occupation. The TMJ claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has determined that the AOJ made a duty to assist error by failing to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with osteopenia and spondylosis is due to or aggravated by his service-connected feet disabilities. The claim is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, cervical strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, and right shoulder strain are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is also denied.

The Veteran's evaluations for left lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbosacral degenerative arthritis of the spine have been restored to their previous levels effective October 18, 2024. The appeal regarding service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is still pending.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 40 percent with an effective date of November 24, 2015.,Entitlement to higher initial ratings in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, and left hip disorders based on the Veteran's active duty service. The conditions are considered to be directly related to his military duties.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right lower extremity nerve conditions. Service connection is remanded for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, migraine headaches, and a low back disability.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder and migraine headaches have been granted service connection, but a higher rating for these conditions is denied.,Service connection has also been established for left knee pain, right knee pain, and lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's iron deficiency anemia has not resulted in the required treatment with intravenous iron infusions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and erectile dysfunction. The case is being remanded to obtain VA examinations to determine if his lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity disorder, left lower extremity disorder, right shoulder disorder, and/or left shoulder disorder are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent from November 4, 2005, to November 18, 2020, and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board remanded the case due to new evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it was incurred during active duty. The low back disability is remanded for further examination and medical opinions to determine if it is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, right hip, back, and bilateral neurologic disabilities of the lower extremities as they are not related to active service. The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as the evidence did not show any additional functional loss or impairment beyond what is already accounted for by the current rating.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral arthritis, finding the evidence did not support a link to service. Service connection was granted for hernia, with the condition first identified after separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment due to his back and knee conditions, which limit his ability to stand, walk, lift, bend, and carry.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder due to a lack of evidence showing the disorders were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to substantially comply with its July 2024 remand directives, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between the current condition and military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right hand, and left shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no worse than Level II hearing acuity in the right ear and Level III hearing acuity in the left ear.,The VA examiner will determine if the Veteran's nail disorder is related to his active duty service, including toxic exposures.