Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability. The Court granted a JMPR, which required the Board to address pain on passive range of motion and nonweight-bearing testing. The case is now remanded due to inadequate examination documentation.

The Veteran's PTSD, combined with his other service-connected disabilities (sleep apnea and back disability), meets the criteria for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate effective December 15, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of loss of use resulting from his disabilities.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and a deferred issue of vertigo.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a back disability and for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to procedural errors. The Veteran needs to be provided with adequate VA examinations to evaluate his disabilities, including consideration of the ameliorative effects of pain medication.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, which was dismissed due to the appellant's request for withdrawal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of July 21, 2011 for the grant of service connection for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease. The case is remanded for further action on his claims for increased rating and TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for TBI and migraines are denied, while the scar of the left cheek is granted. The remaining conditions (lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, and hypertension) do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and migraine headaches, but denied all other claims due to lack of evidence meeting VA standards for a current disability.

The Board has denied requests for earlier effective dates and compensable ratings for various service-connected conditions, but granted a TDIU from September 10, 2003.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals regarding increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Lumbar Spine Disability, Radiculopathies, Hip Limitations, Migraine Headache Disorder, IBS, and GERD.

The Veteran's claim for separate ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been dismissed as the appeal is moot due to the grant of service connection and the subsequent denial of an increased rating.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the remaining issues due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has remanded the claim due to a pre-decisional error in the duty to assist, specifically regarding the evaluation of the Veteran's lumbar strain. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, effective October 6, 2025.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to August 27, 2020 were denied. The initial rating of 20 percent for spondylolisthesis (claimed as back condition) is maintained, while the initial ratings of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are also maintained.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all service connection issues, and the appeal is dismissed.

The appeal of the proposed reduction from 30 percent to 10 percent for GERD is dismissed. The appeal of a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for low back strain with degenerative changes is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left hip disabilities, as well as bilateral knee disabilities and bilateral plantar fasciitis, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected ankle disability and thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disability, radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremities, and obstructive sleep apnea. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran on all issues.