Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not incurred in service. Service connection for sinusitis was denied due to lack of evidence of diagnosis during or near the period on appeal.

The Veteran's OSA was granted service connection as it began during active duty.,Service connection for his back disability is granted, with the onset likely occurring in service or due to a pre-existing condition.,Service connection for his neck disorder is denied; the evidence does not support an in-service onset or line-of-duty injury.,The right wrist ganglion cyst claim was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for chronic low back disorder and right leg disorder, finding that the current disabilities are not causally related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss was dismissed as untimely. The claim of a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied, and the Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history. A total disability rating for compensation due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain and related disabilities, including PTSD, are granted effective April 11, 2024. The Veteran also received a 50% rating for his PTSD.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, gunshot wound residuals, lumbar spine issues, hypothyroidism, sciatica, hypertension, scars, and other conditions. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, requiring an addendum opinion from a clinician regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical strain and lumbar spine conditions.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent each.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has also been established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable disability rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence.,Specifically, the VA examiner did not provide an opinion on how the Veteran's symptoms would differ in severity without medication use.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding no evidence of a nexus between the condition and active service.,Service connection was also denied for obstructive sleep apnea, with the Board concluding that there is no direct link to active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted service connection. The low back disability causing impairment in earning capacity is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, including chronic sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral restless leg syndrome, generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, somatic symptom disorder, lumbosacral strain (claimed as pain of lumbar spine), left sciatic radicular pain, right sciatic radicular pain, tremors of the hands, chronic headaches, coronary heart disease, dermatosis hands, functional abdominal pain syndrome/abdominal pain and bloating, right ear sensorineural hearing loss, and left ear sensorineural hearing loss. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.,The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, including chronic sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral restless leg syndrome, generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, somatic symptom disorder, lumbosacral strain (claimed as pain of lumbar spine), left sciatic radicular pain, right sciatic radicular pain, tremors of the hands, chronic headaches, coronary heart disease, dermatosis hands, functional abdominal pain syndrome/abdominal pain and bloating, right ear sensorineural hearing loss, and left ear sensorineural hearing loss. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was manifested by forward flexion limited to 25 degrees at worst, with functional loss caused by flare ups and repetitive use. The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for mechanical low back pain with DJD of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to a duty to assist error in the initial rating decision. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS without considering the ameliorative effects of medication, and to provide a retrospective opinion on its severity during the period from October 1, 2011, to October 4, 2023.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his request for a hearing before the Board.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma, vertigo, bruxism, lower back condition, migraines, PTSD (to include depression, somatic system disorder), GERD, and sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error in obtaining service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was not before it in its August 2024 decision. The case is now remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is eligible to receive past-due benefits awarded in a November 27, 2024 rating decision. However, due to an error in not documenting these past-due benefits, the case is being remanded for further action.