Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine is at least as likely as not related to his in-service back injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy are granted as service-connected, with the effective date being January 24, 2023.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports that did not address the severity of his condition during flareups and the effects of over-the-counter medications.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are due to his active-duty military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed as the claim was resolved by a grant of service connection in April 2025.,Claims for effective dates prior to September 25, 2024, for separate ratings for lumbar spine facet degeneration L5-S1 and left foot degenerative changes of first MTP joint and mid foot are dismissed as the Veteran did not file an unadjudicated claim or provide evidence that a disability increase occurred during the year preceding the claims.

The Veteran's back disability is now rated at 20 percent effective October 28, 2019. The right ankle disability appeal was withdrawn prior to the decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including low back, left hip, right hip, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities. The VA examinations did not provide adequate opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's requests for effective dates prior to April 6, 2020, for the awards of service connection for bulge of lumbar disc without myelopathy and bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability related to service and that the Veteran's current condition is not causally connected to his military service.

Effective dates of June 4, 2022 are granted for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease, IVDS, spondylosis, scoliosis and healed compression fracture of T7, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy.,Effective date of October 5, 2023 is granted for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, along with his chronic adjustment disorder, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since at least December 26, 2007. Effective September 5, 2017, the Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the VA's failure to schedule appropriate examinations.

The Board denied service connection for low back pain and erectile dysfunction due to a lack of timely filing of an appeal request, and the attempt was dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (Generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder), back disability (lumbar discogenic pain), and right lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not support their onset or development during active duty.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right leg neuropathy is granted as service connected due to his now service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS.

The Veteran's TBI and back disability are granted, but his chest pain/costochondritis, left foot disability, and right foot disability claims are denied. The Board also remanded several issues for further review.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of a back disability. Service connection is granted for left knee strain as secondary to right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of adequate examination and opinion regarding his bilateral foot disorders, including neuropathy, and lumbar disorder. The claims will be reviewed with additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back, cervical neck, left knee, and right knee conditions due to their relationship with his service-connected lower back condition.