Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that the VA examination and opinion were inadequate as they did not consider the Veteran's complete medical history. The case is now to be reviewed with an addendum VA opinion.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because the evidence did not show he required regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities, nor was he permanently bedridden. The Board found that while the Veteran had difficulty with medication management and some activities, he could still bathe/shower, eat, dress, etc., without assistance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment after his last date of employment on March 30, 2018. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from March 31, 2018.

The Board has found pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee disability, left knee disability, low back disability, neck disability, Barrett's esophagus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Additional development is required.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, hypertension, low back pain, and chronic pain syndrome. The claims were dismissed as premature due to a VA medical opinion being deferred.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate, and thus remands the case for further development to obtain new medical opinions regarding service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is found to be directly related to his active-duty service. His left lower extremity radiculopathies are also found to be due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional medical examinations. The appeals are now pending before the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for limitation of flexion of the right knee is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and limitation of extension of the right hip are remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and potential TERA development. The Veteran is also asked to provide additional information regarding his hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a chronic lumbar strain was dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent election of review options.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings related to his service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed due to procedural issues. The claims were merged within the pending Legacy appeal, but no new evidence or requests for reconsideration were submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar strain, bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and bilateral hip disability on the basis that these conditions are related to active duty service due to aggravation of preexisting disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, finding that new and relevant evidence (the Veteran's lay statements) supports the claim of a link between his in-service injury and current symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have continued since then. The decision is based on direct service connection.

Right Shoulder Arthritis: Service connection is granted as the Veteran's right shoulder symptoms began during service and are related to his in-service injury.,Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Service connection is denied as there is no evidence of OSA during service or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD was granted effective August 29, 2022. Service connection was established for vitreous syneresis / vitreous floaters of both eyes. The claims for service connection for refractive error of both eyes (myopia and astigmatism), bilateral hearing loss disability, residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) were all denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral knee conditions due to inadequate medical opinions provided in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to provide a new examination that includes an adequate opinion and rationale.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection regarding his lumbar spine disability requires further examination and opinion due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating of his right knee disability due to inadequate nexus opinions provided by the January 2025 VA examiner. The Veteran is also required to undergo a new VA examination to clarify range of motion findings with repeated use over time and during flare-ups.