Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The appeal is dismissed because the March 2020 rating decision, which granted service connection for a low back strain, was never issued and therefore not an appealable decision.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all issues except the one concerning a rating in excess of 10 percent for status post trauma, right hand, long finger. The appeal for that issue is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause significant impairment in finding and maintaining gainful employment, but he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by his job as a welder with reasonable accommodations. The Board finds that he is not employed in a protected environment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions was dismissed due to the absence of a decision addressing tinnitus. The issues of hypertension, sinus condition, bilateral eye condition, right wrist disability, and bilateral hand, arm, elbow, and shoulder disabilities were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) and special monthly pension (SMP) based on need for regular aid and attendance (A&A) or housebound status due to insufficient evidence showing that he needed such assistance.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, which the Veteran claims is due to his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar soft tissue stress/strain injury was proximately caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's left knee strain and psychiatric disorders (generalized anxiety disorder and depression) are granted service connection.,Service connection for a thoracolumbar disorder is granted as secondary to the service-connected left knee strain. The Veteran's CAD and DM are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure in service.,The Veteran's CAD is granted based on conceded in-service toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) and hypertension, while his DM is granted based on TERA and service-connected left knee strain.

The Veteran's PTSD, GERD, Right Knee Strain, Back Condition, and Right Shoulder Strain have been granted service connection. The Veteran is now entitled to a 70% disability rating for PTSD.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Appellant did not respond to a letter advising her of an error in docketing her appeal and she had not yet been substituted as the claimant.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease (lumbar DDD) was granted, and he is now rated at 20 percent. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity femoral nerve remains denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of the assigned evaluations for various lower extremity radiculopathies and a lumbar spine disability have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of those issues at her hearing.

The Veteran's appeal concerning the denial of service connection for a back disorder was dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating.,Right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are both currently rated at 10 percent. The Veteran seeks increased ratings for these conditions.,Lumbosacral strain is also rated at 10 percent, and the Veteran seeks an increase in this rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for PTSD was dismissed due to her withdrawal of the claim.,Service connection is granted for a lumbar disability, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred during service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and retrolisthesis is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected back condition, including during flare-ups.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was received after the August 2006 rating decision, warranting readjudication of the previously disallowed claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The right wrist condition claim is also remanded due to outstanding private medical records.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine condition due to insufficient examination and consideration of relevant evidence. The reduction in rating for cervical spine disability from 20 percent to 10 percent is not proper, but the Veteran's 20 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran's DDD is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The appeal for higher ratings on other conditions has been denied.