Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current ankle, hand and leg arthritis, or asthma disorders related to his military service. The claims for these conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted as service-connected, and his right knee strain is granted with a 60 percent rating effective November 5, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was denied, and the Board found that no effective date prior to May 30, 2019 is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, neck disability, bilateral knee disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, headaches, sinus disability, respiratory disability, balance disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to a duty to assist error in obtaining service records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to uncertainty about the Veteran's active-duty service dates, particularly during February 2016. The AOJ is instructed to verify all service dates and provide them in the file.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an eye disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of all four extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there were duty to assist errors for the issues on appeal and remanded the case. The Veteran is required to report for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetes mellitus, lumbosacral spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left ankle disorder.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a low back disability due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbosacral intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis as there was no in-service injury or disease, and the current condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine disability; right and left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted with effective dates of November 4, 2024.,Effective from November 4, 2024, the Veteran is now rated at 40 percent for his degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for shortness of breath, obstructive sleep apnea, right elbow disability, or any related foot and knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines, lumbar degenerative disc disease with associated lower extremity radiculopathy, and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection is denied for left hip strain and right hip strain.

The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for service-connected right upper extremity impairment/radiculopathy including carpal tunnel syndrome, and a 60 percent evaluation for service-connected left upper extremity impairment/radiculopathy including carpal tunnel syndrome.,Effective May 2, 2022, the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities were rated at 70 percent and 60 percent respectively.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was part and parcel of his underlying increased rating claim for his service-connected back condition. The effective date for the award of a TDIU is granted as August 31, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for low back strain, left shoulder, and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) based on evidence showing a causal relationship to in-service events or injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, a lower back disability, migraine headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. The evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings have been remanded due to the need for further development of evidence. The Veteran is not entitled to higher initial ratings for his bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, right elbow scars, kidney conditions, lower back condition, ankle strains, or knee strains.

The Board has remanded two issues: the initial rating for a lumbar disorder and the initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The remand is due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report, particularly regarding range of motion during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran's symptoms will be evaluated by a qualified examiner.