Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, particularly his TBI/head injury, neck disability, back disability, right knee disability, BPPV, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to multiple service-connected disabilities, including radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities and low back condition. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU due to his inability to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and lumbosacral spine disorder have been granted service connection, with the Board finding that these conditions are directly related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder renders him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, but his other physical disabilities prevent him from needing such assistance.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for left ear hearing loss and back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee strain, thoracolumbar spine strain, and migraines are remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining necessary medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with lumbarization of S1, as well as her sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities. The claims are inextricably intertwined due to their association.

The Veteran's lower back disability is found to be related to service, and service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss disability, right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disability due to a lack of persuasive evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a back disability, hypertension, and CAD. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's DM II does not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 20 percent, as her condition requires treatment with oral hypoglycemic agents and restricted diet but no regulation of activities.,For lumbar strain, RLE radiculopathy, and LLE radiculopathy, remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the severity of these conditions without considering the ameliorating effects of medication.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left knee scar have been rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines, but his low back disability remains unresolved.,VA has determined that a compensable rating for the left knee scar is not warranted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's tinnitus and left knee scar have been rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines, but his low back disability remains unresolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral hearing loss, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and service connection claims. The adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, left knee strain, right knee strain, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), lumbar discogenic pain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were all denied.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status or the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as there is no evidence of significant disabilities that would require such benefits.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to bilateral foot condition, low back condition, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome scars. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary service connection for migraines. The Veteran's current migraines are being evaluated for potential aggravation by service-connected musculoskeletal conditions and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, and a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period from August 27, 2013 to January 26, 2016 and from March 1, 2016 to October 28, 2025 due to service-connected disabilities that rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.