Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, left knee, and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of current disability. The claim for migraine headaches is remanded for an addendum VA opinion regarding whether the condition clearly and unmistakably preexisted service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of certain evidence and the need for an additional VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, including whether it amounts to the functional equivalent of ankylosis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, including the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his right ankle and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the May 2022 VA examination reports. The Board will schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective April 12, 2012. The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathies are each currently rated at 20 percent, effective November 23, 2021.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and will provide an addendum medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's back condition is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities of right and left knee, right and left foot, and thoracolumbar spine are not service-connected as they were not shown to be incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions was dismissed due to failure to timely file a VA Form 10182 within the one-year deadline following the July 2023 rating decision.

Your appeal for a higher disability rating for your lumbosacral strain has been dismissed because you requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for right foot posterior calcaneal exostosis as it was already granted in full prior to the April 2023 rating decision. The claim of an initial higher rating for low back disability is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for headaches, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Board dismissed these issues as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, with a focus on PTSD. However, there is insufficient evidence in the record to determine if he requires regular aid and attendance as a result of these conditions or solely from PTSD. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, glaucoma, sleep apnea, and prostate cancer residuals. The claim for headaches (migraines) is being remanded.,There was no current diagnosis of a lumbar spine disability at any relevant time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and right hand numbness require additional development due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder strain and rotator cuff tear with tendonitis and tenosynovitis, as well as for a lumbar disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine and scoliosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and an issue regarding the etiology of the low back condition.

The Veteran's back, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and neck disability are all granted as service-connected. The evidence supports the finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current back condition and his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to his inability to perform multiple activities of daily living and a need for supervision based on symptoms or residuals of neurological impairment. The decision also requires an evaluation of whether participation in the PCAFC program would be in the best interest of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence received since the last rating decision. The claims will be reconsidered with additional medical records from non-VA providers.