Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable prior to August 19, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated as 30% prior to December 1, 2022 and at a 40% rating since that date.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated as 20% prior to December 1, 2022 and at a 40% rating since that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated as 10% prior to August 3, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated as 10% prior to August 3, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is rated as 20% since August 3, 2024.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated as 10% prior to August 27, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between his current disabilities and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition and bradycardia, finding that the conditions began during active duty service and persisted thereafter.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates in several of his claims, including those related to TBI, left shoulder, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, posttraumatic migraine headaches, and TDIU. The issues have been remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for traumatic brain injury with migraine headaches and denied service connection for cervical strain, left knee strain, and left ankle deltoid ligament sprain. The remaining claims have been granted or are pending further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The claim was reopened due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity are rated at 20 percent effective November 6, 2024.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and herniated disc of the lumbar spine. The claims for increased ratings and effective date are being returned to the AOJ for further action, including providing an informal conference.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for an insomnia disorder has been granted. The claims for increased ratings of the neck condition and TDIU prior to January 30, 2023 have been remanded.

The Veteran's inguinal hernia is granted a 10 percent initial rating. The claims for increased ratings of lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities, and service connection for an injury of the left thumb are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and requires an additional VA examination for the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected, with an effective date of June 2, 2021.,Service connection for CAD and OSA is also granted, with an effective date of June 2, 2021.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 26, 2011 for the award of service connection for low back pain with left sacroiliac dysfunction based on new evidence received after a final denial.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the cervical spine disability claim due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his cervical spine disabilities are related to his active duty service or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), finding that there is no current diagnosis of CTS or persistent symptoms resulting in functional impairment.,The Board granted readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding new and relevant evidence to support reopening the claim. The rating assigned was 10 percent for each foot due to degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for unspecified muscle pain is dismissed. The AOJ also remanded several other issues including increased evaluations and service connection claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and the need for additional medical evidence. The Veteran's lower back disability, including lumbar strain and spondylolisthesis, is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance, which is granted as special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is directly related to his military service.