Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back disability, finding no evidence of a current disability during active duty and insufficient causal link to in-service events.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for his service-connected low back disability is remanded due to the inadequacy of the May 2023 VA examination.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation for his acquired psychiatric disabilities and DEA is remanded due to inconsistencies in employment records and incomplete verification of income.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including migraines, traumatic brain injury, tinnitus, facial scarring, back disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, acne, chest and back scars, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, back disability, left hip disabilities based on impairment of the thigh and limitation of extension, and right knee disability have been restored with respective ratings. The right knee disability has also been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected back condition is being remanded due to a pre-decisional error in obtaining physical therapy records and an adequate medical examination.

The Veteran's initial rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied, and the claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal because of a procedural defect in how the appeal was filed and docketed. The issues of service connection for low back disability and sleep apnea are not valid appeals.

The Board has found that the Veteran requires personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on her need for supervision or protection due to symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. The VA will now consider whether participation in the PCAFC program is in her best interest.

The Board denied the appellant's eligibility for direct payment of fees from past due benefits awarded in a July 2022 rating decision granting an increased 20 percent rating for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of neck and back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's MOS, STRs, lay statements, and private medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in duty to assist and will require a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claim for service connection of his low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence showing his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for hemorrhoids and remanded the issues of service connection for a left Achilles tendon disability, sleep disturbance, lower back disability, and left hip disability due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of a current bladder disorder diagnosis. Other issues are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for back disability, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral ankle impingement/entrapment with foot edema has been granted effective from May 1, 2023.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar disc herniation with status-post discectomy L5-S1 is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for initial compensable evaluation for skin cancer, peripheral neuropathies of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, GERD, lung condition, liver condition, low back condition, and diabetes mellitus, type II are all remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine with lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and osteoarthrosis with trochanteric pain syndrome of the left hip were granted effective August 5, 2024.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence sufficient to warrant readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. The RO should conduct any development deemed necessary and then readjudicate the claims in the first instance.

The Veteran's appeal concerning service connection for low back condition, liver cancer, hepatitis C, and emphysema has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.