Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back condition, diagnosed as lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), is etiologically related to his service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes related to bilateral hearing loss. The appeals for service connection for other conditions are remanded due to failure of the VA to provide the Veteran with VA examinations.

The Veteran's cystic kidney disease is granted with a 30 percent rating, effective August 9, 2023. The Veteran's left knee disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and sleep apnea are denied. Polycythemia is granted with a 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), headaches, tinnitus, a back disorder, right knee and leg arthritis, left knee and leg arthritis, right hand arthritis, left hand arthritis, right ankle arthritis, and left ankle arthritis as they are at least as likely as not related to active-duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates was denied. The decision specifically addressed the issue of an increased rating for PTSD, which was found not to meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's non-VA emergency care at Blake Hospital in May 2018 was deemed emergent and necessary due to a hand injury that exposed an infection. The Board found that the nearest available facility (Blake Hospital) provided appropriate treatment, which was not feasibly available from VA facilities. As such, the claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA care is granted.

The Veteran's effective date for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is set to March 11, 2021. He was granted a higher level of SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) at level (n).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain, finding that his symptoms began during active duty and have persisted since then.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, right knee disorders, left knee disorders, a back disorder, and a heart disorder. The claims are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for residuals of lumbar strain, right shoulder strain, right wrist strain, bilateral ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease, and sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The new evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for left knee strain, right knee injury, cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain to include degenerative disc disease and IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and tension headaches have been granted effective October 9, 2023.,The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date were denied as the appropriate effective date is October 9, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in not obtaining relevant VA treatment records and medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to his service-connected hip, knee, and other conditions.

The Board has decided to remand all four issues related to the Veteran's back and nerve conditions due to duty-to-assist errors. Specifically, a new examination is required for functional ankylosis of the spine and for the severity of the radiculopathies.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 40 percent from October 20, 1981 to October 28, 2011. Effective May 10, 2008, the Veteran is granted a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of November 15, 2010 for his service-connected lumbar strain disability.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to service connection, including for low back disability and its associated conditions. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to errors in the decision-making process regarding her exposure to toxins during active duty.

The reduction of the rating for lumbar degenerative disc and joint disease with spinal stenosis from 40 percent to 20 percent was improper, and therefore, restoration of the 40 percent rating assigned for the Veteran's service-connected back disability is granted. The appeal for a higher rating for the service-connected back disability is denied.

The Veteran's SMC claim was granted based on his service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and multiple knee conditions. The effective date is set at February 24, 2018.