Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for an adequate examination and consideration of the ameliorative effects of any medication.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, specifically addressing whether there was aggravation during service and if the lumbar spondylosis, lumbar radiculopathy, sacroiliitis, and failed back surgery syndrome had onset in service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected low back disability due to the need for a supplemental opinion regarding the impact of medication on the severity of the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection of various conditions, including back condition, hypertension, rib condition, TMJ, TBI, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, and heart disorder. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, left leg disability, and left ankle disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his period of active service.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the current condition and active duty service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's back disorder and eye disorders are related to his service-connected knee disabilities. The AOJ will need to obtain an addendum opinion addressing all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's service treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective June 19, 2020. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and from November 9, 2021 to June 18, 2024 has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis was granted with a 20% disability rating effective December 2, 2019. The decision does not specify the effective date as it is based on evidence showing actual worsening of the condition within one year prior to the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for asthma, lumbosacral strain, and cervical strain have been denied as the evidence does not show that his conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches and lumbosacral strain is granted. The Veteran receives a separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability, but no other ratings are granted or denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and a higher disability rating for chronic scalp folliculitis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations as needed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been granted an initial 40 percent rating, effective May 29, 2020. Service connection for right shoulder tendinopathy, left shoulder interstitial tear of the teres minor tendon, and right wrist sprain/degenerative arthritis have also been granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right knee instability, and left knee degenerative joint disease are all rated at their maximum levels. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability are granted service connection. The Veteran's scar of the left anterior knee is denied as not aggravated by service. Service connection for left knee disability is denied. Unexplained body aches claim is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that it became manifest during her active duty and is related to her in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 11, 2012 for service connection and a higher initial rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied. The effective date is set at the receipt of his application to reopen in March 11, 2012. His current rating remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's back condition, left knee conditions, and right knee conditions are being remanded for further development as the VA opinions did not adequately address his lay statements regarding the chronicity of his symptoms and the relationship between his service-connected bilateral flat foot disability and his current conditions.