Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's cervical strain and left knee strain have been granted service connection, with the effective date being January 5, 2026.

The Veteran's back disability, RLE radiculopathy, and OSA are all granted as service-connected.,A 10 percent rating is granted for chronic sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right knee condition, left knee condition, lumbosacral strain (lower back pain), buttocks pain, right hand condition, and left hand condition. The Board found insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection on October 22, 2018.,Effective from October 22, 2018, the Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathies (sciatic nerve) were also granted secondary to his low back disability.,The effective dates for these conditions are all set at October 22, 2018.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's low back disability had its onset during active-duty service or is otherwise related to any in-service disease, event, or injury. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, transient global amnesia, tinnitus, and PTSD have been denied. The Board has found that there is no competent evidence of these conditions during the pendency of the claim.,For the lumbar spine disability, the Veteran was granted service connection but a higher rating remains in dispute.

The Veteran's scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,There is no evidence that the right lower extremity radiculopathy developed due to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the decision on appeal was not legally adequate and requires remand for correction. The matter is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion from the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) regarding personal care services needs, supervision requirements, and need for regular or extensive instruction or supervision without which daily life would be seriously impaired.

The Veteran's right knee disability, spondylolisthesis of the neck as secondary to cervical strain, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the neck as secondary to cervical strain, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to cervical strain, and migraines have been granted service connection. The lower back strain (lumbosacral strain), middle back strain (thoracic strain), spinal stenosis as secondary to degenerative arthritis, spondylolisthesis, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have also been granted service connection. The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his already-service connected cervical spine condition has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on four specific conditions has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for a low back disability and an effective date earlier than May 6, 2015 for the grant of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The low back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and alopecia associated with pseudofolliculitis barbae are all granted initial ratings. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right shoulder condition, and left shoulder condition is remanded.

The Veteran's migraines are found to be secondary to her service-connected PTSD.,Her lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right hip strain, and both ankle lateral collateral ligament sprains are all found to be secondary to her service-connected bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, Morton's disease, right foot dorsal exostosis, and status post foot tarsal fracture.

The Veteran's child is not eligible for CHAMPVA benefits because the Veteran does not have a permanent and total service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and to address the Veteran's claim for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for multiple myeloma, back disability, diabetes mellitus type 2, left leg condition (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), and right leg condition (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) based on the persuasive evidence of record. All issues have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of March 21, 2024 for service connection to the Veteran for degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine; irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); and radiculopathy, left lower, sciatic.

The Veteran's initial rating for cervical strain is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the regulatory criteria.,Tinnitus has been granted service connection based on in-service noise exposure and reasonable doubt.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are also granted.