Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's migraine headaches were incurred in the line of duty during her initial period of active duty for training, and she has a current disability. Service connection is granted for this condition. The Veteran did not have a back or knee disability that was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has ordered remand for the previously denied claims of service connection for left eye, right eye, and lumbar spine disabilities due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was continuously pursued, and the appellant is eligible to charge agent fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the June 2024 rating decision.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected low back strain with degenerative arthritis, effective from September 26, 2008. The decision is based on functional limitation equivalent to forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less due to pain and other symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a lumbar spine disability, a cervical spine disability, and a left knee disability due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability is granted, and he is now entitled to a 40 percent rating. The service connection claim for deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an oversight in not addressing the issue of service connection for degenerative disc disease. The claim is now being reconsidered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, cervical spine disability, gastric/duodenal ulcer, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and dislocated semilunar cartilage of the right knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since March 22, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for service-connected low back disability and related radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need for clarification of crucial medical questions.,Higher ratings are sought for right and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, but these issues have also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for headaches, painful surgical scar, left chest, hypertension, left elbow degenerative joint disease, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome due to incomplete VA treatment records.,No effective date earlier than specified dates was granted as there is no probative evidence showing the conditions had their onset during service or are otherwise related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition and a neck condition, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to August 17, 1998 is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous instructions. The Board acknowledges the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and acquired psychiatric disorder but lacks sufficient evidence to determine his employability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, and cervical spine disability as proximately due to another service-connected disability. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claim. The initial rating for left knee retropatellar pain syndrome prior to April 22, 2023 is denied. A separate 20 percent rating is granted for limitation of extension of the left knee. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee retropatellar pain syndrome (limitation of flexion) from April 22, 2023 is denied but a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5260 is granted. The Veteran's right wrist strain disability remains at the maximum schedular rating.

The Board has granted service connection for back, left knee, and left ankle disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee tendinitis.

The Veteran's chronic low back pain and peripheral neuropathy have been granted increased ratings, with the right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy receiving a 20 percent rating from February 6, 1979 to May 14, 1984, and the left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy receiving a 10 percent rating from February 6, 1979. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted starting from May 23, 2008.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability as of November 12, 2014, finding that his reports of being unable to move or engage in physical activity during flare-ups represent the functional equivalent of ankylosis. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for migraine headaches and increased rating for lumbar spine disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disability due to insufficient range of motion measurements and the need for a retrospective medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc disease, is related to his service and granted service connection for this condition.