Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's reduction from a 100% to a 70% rating for other specified trauma and stressor disorder with unspecified substance related disorder in partial remission (previously diagnosed as posttraumatic stress disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and unspecified personality disorder) is restored.,The Veteran's reduction from a 40% to a 10% rating for lumbosacral strain is restored.

The Veteran's rating for lumbar spine strain was improperly reduced from 10% to 20%, and the Board has restored his original 20% rating effective November 1, 2025.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a recurrent lumbosacral spine disability and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional verification of his National Guard service records.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection and TDIU was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to these benefits prior to July 2, 2024.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition and right lower extremity radiculopathy, both on the basis of direct service connection.,Service connection is also granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy and respiratory condition (sleep apnea), but these claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connection was established based on a diagnosed condition and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.,Service connection for low back disability is granted, with the diagnosis being intervertebral disc degeneration and spinal stenosis of the lumbar region (low back disability).,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his now service-connected low back disability is granted. The link between the two conditions was established by medical evidence.,Service connection for residuals of a head injury, manifested as head pain, memory impairment, loss of balance, and dizziness, is granted based on credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.,The Veteran's right foot disability does not meet service connection criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he does not meet the criteria for SMC as his disabilities do not render him unable to care for most of his daily personal needs without regular personal assistance from others.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for alcohol use disorder is denied.,A disability rating of 100% (total) is granted for PTSD, effective from the date of this decision.,A disability rating of 100% (total) is granted for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for left elbow lateral epicondylitis and osteoarthritis, but denied service connection for degenerative arthritis and DDD other than IVDS of the neck and low back condition.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease thoracic and lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, effective August 4, 2020. Effective the same date, he also received TDIU benefits, DEA benefits, and SMC based on housebound criteria.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted an initial 10 percent rating, effective from August 10, 2022. Service connection for a low back disability was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, right upper extremity PN, left upper extremity PN, neck disability, and back disability have all been denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for neck disability has also been denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, is found to be related to service.,Obstructive sleep apnea is determined to be related to weight gain associated with his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of lumbosacral strain has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue regarding a disability rating for lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis and chronic musculoligamentous strain, as well as whether the reduction to 10 percent was proper, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for a neck disability, back disability, and PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting these claims prior to June 14, 2023.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, and front neck scar have been dismissed. The appeal of the proposed reduction in rating for service-connected bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy has also been dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, skin disorder, and allergic rhinitis. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or are otherwise related to his military service.,Specifically, there is no medical evidence showing an in-service onset or chronicity of the claimed disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that there is not an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence to support the claim. The Board concluded that the current back condition did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and chronic pain syndrome disabilities. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.