Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service, including exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for SMC (Aid and Attendance) was denied because he did not meet the criteria of needing regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for SMC (Housebound Status) was also denied as he did not have a single 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine arthritis and disc disease with IVDS, abdominal scars, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and low back scar are all granted effective June 3, 2016. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU and DEA based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected femoral nerve radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to a lack of adequate medical opinion at the time of the January 2025 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, with some increased evaluations and others denied. The effective dates for the grants are April 22, 2025.

The Veteran's claim for DEA benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was granted effective April 17, 2024, based on his multiple service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is April 17, 2024, which the Veteran has been granted and believes to be the correct date.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine condition due to inadequate VA opinions and failure to consider lay statements regarding post-service treatment.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic and femoral nerves), right knee disability, and cervical spine disorder was granted with effective dates of June 9, 2023.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to issues related to service connection, rating of low back disability, and hearing loss. The Veteran's request for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, erectile dysfunction also claimed as low testosterone, and a disability manifested as shortness of breath and coughing are denied.

The Veteran's service connection for CTS, left, is granted. The claim for a separate disability manifested by left hand pain that is distinct from CTS, left, is denied due to lack of evidence supporting such a condition.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right fifth finger tendinosis is denied.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression, anxiety, and insomnia) are remanded.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded.,The Veteran's claim of increased rating for headache disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities due to insufficient VA medical opinions provided in November 2024.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of upper extremity neuropathy, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for bilateral foot conditions, low back condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition are remanded due to the failure to provide a VA examination prior to the December 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran was granted an earlier effective date of March 31, 2011 for a TDIU rating due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected lumbar spine condition and other disabilities from March 31, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's November 28, 2017 substantive appeal was timely filed in response to the September 6, 2017 statements of the case. As a result, this appeal is granted.

The Veteran's sciatica of the right and left lower extremities are rated at 20 percent each, effective September 1, 2024. The Veteran's back condition is rated at 50 percent from April 27, 2020 to July 13, 2020, and 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected low back syndrome is being remanded due to inadequacies in the July 2024 VA examination, including failure to consider medication effects and flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for right and left lumbar radiculopathy as the underlying primary low back disability is not an adjudicated service-connected condition.