Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The reduction in rating from 40 percent to 10 percent for lumbar spine IVDS effective from April 1, 2020 to February 3, 2021 was not proper and thus the claim is granted.,Entitlement to an increased rating of 40 percent, but no higher, effective from February 3, 2021, for radiculopathy of left lower extremity sciatic nerve is granted.,Entitlement to an effective date earlier than February 3, 2021 for service connection for radiculopathy of left lower extremity sciatic nerve is denied.,Entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of right lower extremity sciatic nerve is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for low back strain is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of low back strain is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbosacral strain are granted an increased rating to 40 percent, effective July 20, 2014. The Veteran's bilateral foot arthritis is granted increased ratings to 30 percent each, effective August 20, 2018.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome and bilateral flat foot with plantar fasciitis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, but has remanded the issue of service connection for his low back disability due to a lack of medical opinion and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for spinal scoliosis and granted service connection for recurrent lumbosacral strain residuals.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied because the evidence did not show that he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disorder is related to service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and bursitis (right shoulder) disability, as well as lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's left pinky finger status post fracture is denied an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, PTSD, and other service-connected conditions have been granted. Claims for tension headaches, costochondritis, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, bilateral shoulder disorders, ED, keloids, left hip disorder, ulcers, vision disorder, bilateral wrist disorders, cervical spine disorder, lumbosacral spine disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and gastrointestinal (GI) disorder other than ulcer have been denied. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's bladder condition was granted service connection secondary to his back condition, effective from June 26, 2013.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 40% to 20% for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, effective October 21, 2020 is proper based on improvement in his symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40% rating for her lumbar spine disability is denied because the increase in severity did not occur within one year prior to her August 21, 2024, claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of myofascial pain cervical spine, lumbosacral strain, and left knee recurrent tendinitis have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lymphoma cancer stage III, bladder infections, and lumbar spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's back disability, including IVDS, spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, and disc protrusion, is deemed to have been caused by his service. As a result, the claim for these conditions has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to insufficient evidence in the VA examiner's opinion. The Veteran and his wife have provided lay statements about their symptoms, which were not considered by the March 2021 VA examiner.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective February 26, 2024. The increase in disability during the one-year period prior to this date rendered him unemployable.

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hand arthralgia, nose disability (manifesting in nosebleeds), and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for lumbosacral strain due to insufficient evidence.