Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right foot plantar fasciitis, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and left ankle fracture residuals are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition due to insufficient evidence and the need for further examination. The Veteran's statements and medical opinions indicate that his condition may be related to service, but there is uncertainty about whether it is due to his congenitally small canal or natural progression of his condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural errors and a need for clarification of the Veteran's intention. The low back disability is considered directly related to service, but further examination is needed to determine if it started during service or is otherwise etiologically related.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to a deficient notice letter and the Veteran's right to a hearing on a supplemental claim.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to procedural defects in the submission of the VA Form 10182, which was not an accepted format for appeal in the modernized review system.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depression is granted service connection. The low back disability claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary due to duty-to-assist errors, and the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU are all remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for further evaluation, including service connection claims and evaluations for various knee disabilities. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are among the issues being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with moderate sized central disc protrusion at C6-7 and thoracic outlet syndrome, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical strain with reversal of cervical lordosis.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a right knee disability should be remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ is required to request medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his reported in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examination and duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining nexus opinions and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back condition and obesity.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that the appellant's current conditions are likely caused by in-service parachute injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, neck disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral shin disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral wrist disability due to a failure to provide proper notice of the right to a hearing before the RO.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status prior to March 28, 2018 is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a single service-connected disability rated at 100% and an additional disability or disabilities independently ratable at 60%, separate from the 100% service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The claims will be reconsidered with additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar back strain, cervical spine disability, bilateral pes planus, left ankle and knee disabilities, tinnitus, and hearing loss are rated accordingly. The effective date for the grant of service connection is denied prior to December 29, 2015. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) claims have also been denied.

The appeal as to the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, neck condition, lumbar spine condition, LLE radiculopathy, RLE radiculopathy, left shoulder condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate examinations in prior rating decisions.,No specific conditions were granted or denied as they are pending further examination.