Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar back disability and a colon cancer disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.,There is no evidence of chronicity of either condition during or after service.

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

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, including DDD and L5 sacralization, is granted as service-connected.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy are both granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's OSA is rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU from July 19, 2021, but no earlier due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from gainful employment. He also received eligibility for DEA since July 19, 2021.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability during service and denied service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD and IVDS are rated at 30% prior to September 28, 2021, but not higher.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20% from February 3, 2023, onwards.,The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is rated at 10% from February 3, 2023, onwards.,The Veteran's vasomotor rhinitis is rated at 10% from February 3, 2023, onwards.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), Hiatal Hernia and Diverticulitis are rated at 30%.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), finding that his forward flexion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the (n) rate effective November 9, 2020, based on a combination of service-connected conditions that independently reach or exceed 50% disability ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to errors in obtaining his complete service treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature of his toxic exposure and the relationship between his current disabilities and active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it was caused by his in-service injuries.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his foot and knee disabilities, as well as their relationship to service. The AOJ must provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected sinusitis, tinnitus, and thoracolumbar arthritis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, disc herniation L3-4 status post lumbar fusion, is currently rated at 40 percent and the Board has remanded this issue for further development.

The Board denied restoration of the prior ratings for intervertebral disc disease (IVDS) of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to sustained improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for various conditions, including kidney stones, shoulder injuries, foot and ankle issues, and back problems. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected knee and shoulder disabilities during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete VA examination, requiring a new evaluation of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability.

The Veteran's testicular pain causing impairment in earning capacity is granted as service-connected. The initial rating for the lumbar spine disability remains at 40 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss, lower back condition, and sleep apnea. The decision granted service connection for right ear hearing loss at zero percent effective February 13, 2024.