Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's low back disability is granted an increased rating of 40 percent, and initial ratings of 20 percent are granted for bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy. An earlier effective date of November 17, 2022, is granted for a 30 percent rating for IBS with mesenteric adenitis.

The Veteran's appeal concerning bilateral hearing loss and a lumbar spine condition is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, and acute sinusitis s/p septoplasty due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence is persuasively against a finding that the Veteran currently has these conditions.,For the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right ear hearing loss, CFS, sleep apnea, respiratory disability, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, left leg disability, and ED, the Board has remanded these claims to allow for further development.

The Veteran's dizziness is associated with his diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension. The Board denied service connection for dizzy spells.,There is no current diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy in the Veteran's medical records. The Board denied service connection for diabetic neuropathy.,The Veteran failed to report for a necessary examination without good cause. The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD).,The evidence does not establish that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD. The Board denied service connection for PTSD.,There is no current diagnosis of vision in the Veteran's medical records. The Board denied service connection for vision.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service or secondary to her thoracolumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, with intervertebral disc syndrome, is rated at 40 percent and the appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or aggravation and that any current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of his service connection claims, finding that the appeal was untimely and no good cause for extension was provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection must be remanded due to procedural errors and need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal to the Board, resulting in the dismissal of the case for entitlement to service connection for a lower back condition.

Service connection is granted for temporomandibular joint pain dysfunction syndrome and headaches as secondary to service-connected temporomandibular joint pain dysfunction syndrome.,Service connection is denied for obstructive sleep apnea, cervical strain, left upper extremity nerve condition, lumbosacral strain, and other conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been granted service connection as it is related to his military service.

The reduction in the ratings for first-degree frostbite with degenerative arthritis of the right hand and left hand from 30% to 20% was not proper, and the original 30% ratings are reinstated. The Veteran is granted entitlement to Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the claims for migraine headaches, tinnitus, and back disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 40 percent, as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating. The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate notice and scheduling of VA examinations. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis. Low back disability and bilateral shin splints are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims and subsequent death.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and the need for additional medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation of the inguinal hernia by the service-connected low back disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a sleep disorder, back disability, and left knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has vacated its decision denying service connection for right hip arthritis and remanded the issue of whether it is secondary to PTSD or degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.