Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative arthritis with IVDS resulted in bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, which was granted increased ratings of 20% for LLE sciatic and femoral radiculopathy from March 11, 2020, and 30% for RLE sciatic and femoral radiculopathy from the same date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete service records, specifically those related to the Veteran's periods of active duty with the Air Force Reserve and Montana Air National Guard. The VA is instructed to verify these periods and obtain any associated service documentation.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and back disability due to a lack of consideration of evidence submitted after the AOJ decision, as well as pre-decisional duty to assist errors regarding examinations.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) from December 23, 2014 to December 26, 2019 due to service-connected knee disorders and back disability. The effective date is set at December 23, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher level of SMC was denied as he does not meet the criteria for any additional levels of SMC based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to his service as a fighter jet pilot, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a cervical spine disability, both dating back to May 23, 2018.

The Veteran's low back disability was restored to a 40% rating. Service connection for neck, right shoulder, left shoulder, and bilateral ankle conditions is granted but the claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence. TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, along with associated radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals as untimely due to failure to file a proper Notice of Disagreement within one year from the date of the March 2019 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back, bilateral hip, and bilateral foot disabilities. The claim for vertigo is remanded.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's lower back, bilateral hip, and bilateral foot disabilities based on direct evidence of their onset during or shortly after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, bilateral leg disabilities, bilateral hip disabilities, neck disability, and foot disability. The remand is due to a potential pre-existing condition issue during his second period of active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claim for a left ankle disability. The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted as secondary to her service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims of entitlement to service connection for low back, right hip, and left ankle disabilities are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a thoracolumbar spine disability, and residuals of prostate cancer. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's GERD, elbow disorders, shoulder disorders, low back disorder, hip conditions, and knee conditions are being remanded for further examination and opinion to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the impact of medication on his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied due to the lack of evidence showing current tinnitus.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been withdrawn and dismissed as per the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted effective May 17, 2021.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for cervical spine strain and headaches, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected left AC joint injury.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability, bilateral pes planus, and TDIU was denied. The effective date of the increase in evaluation for bilateral pes planus is granted as December 21, 2011.