Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective February 20, 2025. The Board finds the reduction improper and restores the 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability related to military service, and for left and right leg radiculopathy secondary to that lumbar disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability is denied prior to March 31, 2025 and from that date onwards. Ratings for his right knee strain with osteoarthritis, left knee strain with osteoarthritis, right knee instability, and left knee instability are also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, including associated bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy.,Service connection is also granted for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's migraines and fibromyalgia are presumed to have been caused by exposure to fine, particulate matter in Southwest Asia. The bilateral knee condition is at least as likely as not related to service. The low back disability is also at least as likely as not related to service. The bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is at least as likely as not related to the service-connected low back disability. The acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety) is at least as likely as not related to service.,The Veteran's traumatic brain injury and cervical spine disabilities are remanded due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with spondylosis, disc desiccation, disc protrusion, and stenosis, as well as mandibular nerve damage of the left cranial nerve V (trigeminal nerve). The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.,Service connection is denied for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, high blood pressure, and type II diabetes mellitus due to errors in development of the claim.

The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back condition and right knee condition, finding no current disability or causal relationship to service. The left ankle disability was remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for the right knee osteoarthritis was granted based on a current diagnosis, but not established by in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, is considered to have originated during his active service and continues today. The Board has therefore granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for miscarriage, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right elbow disability due to insufficient examination opinions and incomplete service history verification.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 14, 2023.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease are not secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not worsen to the extent that she was precluded from performing her job duties, and her occupation for which she was previously rehabilitated is still suitable.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 13, 2020 for the service connection of low back disability and related radiculopathy issues. The Veteran's claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted in January 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip and lower extremity disorders, including as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, thoracolumbar spine condition, and obstructive sleep apnea.