Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination and to obtain SSA records. The claims will be reconsidered with these additional pieces of evidence.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck disability, diagnosed as cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), on a direct basis. The decision is based on credible lay evidence of onset in service and continuity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication of the appellant's claims for accrued benefits due to her testimony regarding good cause. The Veteran had pending service connection claims at the time of his death.

The Veteran's increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, status post lumbosacral strain; radiculopathy, femoral nerve, left lower extremity; radiculopathy, femoral nerve, right lower extremity; and tibial stress fracture status post strain, right knee are denied.

The Board found that the reduction of the evaluation from 40% to 10% for service-connected lumbosacral strain was proper, and thus denied restoration of a higher rating.

The Veteran's back disorder, BPH with LUTS, and cholecystectomy are all granted as service-connected. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to service or in-service exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition and the earlier effective date for service-connected chronic bilateral allergic conjunctivitis. The Veteran's current low back condition was not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established.

The Board has granted service connection for a temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and lumbosacral arthritis with stenosis, disc protrusion, and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), but denied service connection for cervical spine strain.,Service connection was established based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding his symptoms during military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's upper and low back disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, and overall body pain are related to his active service. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD, onychomycosis, and mid-back and low back pain have been granted. The chest condition issue has been remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for neck disability, back disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, left knee disability, depression, anxiety, stomach disability, and residuals of mefloquine toxicity due to a duty-to-assist error. The effective date claim for scar of the right breast is denied as there was no intent to file a claim prior to February 15, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition and acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to his service-connected back condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was dismissed. Service connection was granted for irritable bowel syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The lower back condition claim is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is not eligible for PCAFC benefits due to a lack of personal care services and supervision. The decision will be remanded to allow for further review by VA.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a foot disorder, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether these conditions began during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, is granted. The lumbar spine disability remains rated at 40 percent due to unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's back brace, used to treat his service-connected lumbar spine disability, tended to wear out or tear his clothing. The Board granted an annual clothing allowance for the 2018 calendar year based on this condition.