Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's lower back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis, is due to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in pre-decisional duty to assist and a need for further examination. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being reviewed again.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury and pain.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the April 2025 VA examination report, which did not include range-of-motion testing in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions. The claim will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board has found that the Veteran's lumbosacral sprain may be service connected, but the left knee disability is remanded for further development due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, neck disorder, left hip and right hip disorders, left shoulder and right shoulder disorders, and left knee and right knee disorders. These conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, including SSA disability records and Federal prison medical records, and request an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.

The appeal regarding service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, and compensation for birth defect in child is dismissed.,The appeal regarding increased disability ratings for a right knee condition prior to August 26, 2024 is dismissed.

The Veteran's back scars are rated at a noncompensable level due to the scars not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7802.,The Veteran's bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities is granted with a 20 percent rating, reflecting moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's back and left hip disabilities are granted as service-connected, with the right ankle disability also being granted.,Service connection for the right ankle disability is granted based on aggravation of a preexisting condition during active duty in Vietnam.

The appeal of the denial of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is dismissed. The claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee, right knee, sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, and low back disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities. His hypertension is granted based on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for diverticulitis, migraine headaches, and lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's conditions are deemed to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disorder and left knee disorder, but denied his claims for service connection for left hand arthritis and right hand arthritis. The hypertension claim is being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, right knee tendonitis, and right ear hearing loss have been granted. Claims for left hand injury, kidney stones, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorder, left shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and fatty liver disease were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating greater than 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as the October 2022 examination report is not fully adequate to decide the appeals. The AOJ should obtain a medical opinion clarifying the severity of the Veteran's disabilities without considering the ameliorative effects of medication, and an examination that complies with Correia v. McDonald (2016).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of elbow, hand and finger, or knee ankylosis. The claims for ankle sprain, hip sprain, lumbosacral sprain (lower back sprain), cervical strain (neck strain), shoulder strain, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded to obtain adequate medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, heart, and stroke conditions.,There is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.