Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran is granted an effective date of August 8, 2017 for a 20 percent disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine strain. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted within one year of the initial receipt of the claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board has determined that the claim for eligibility to enroll in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is remanded due to insufficient evidence and lack of proper notice. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a need for personal care services, but this determination was made without adequate medical justification or explanation.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and remanded several issues related to service connection, rating increases, and unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of right hip degenerative arthritis due to inadequate examination and lack of opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for migraines and a low back disorder as there is no current disability or recent diagnosis of such disorders prior to the Veteran's filing of her claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for lumbar fusion scarring was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure (PACT Act) is granted.

The Veteran's low back disability appeal was withdrawn and dismissed.,Service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to service-connected insomnia, is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and headaches as of August 1, 2018. The decision is based on the Veteran's assertions that her conditions began during military service and are related to her service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations and provide updated medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. Service connection for a back disability, right knee limitation of flexion, bilateral shin splints, and chronic headaches were all granted with specific ratings.

The Board has granted the appellant's appeals for service connection for PTSD and sleep disorder, as well as his claims for Addison's disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, duodenal ulcer with helicobacter pylori, hypothyroidism, bilateral knee condition, and lumbar strain disorder. The appeal regarding whether evidence submitted with the January 2016 application constituted new and material evidence with respect to veteran status is also granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and PTSD are granted as service-connected. The lower back, knee, hip, and ankle disabilities are also granted as service-connected, with some conditions being secondary to other service-connected disabilities.,Chronic diarrhea is granted as a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for low back disability due to a lack of medical evidence addressing its etiology. The Veteran's contentions about her in-service injuries and symptoms will be considered, along with any relevant post-service symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee meniscal tear, status post lateral meniscectomy (limited flexion) due to inadequate examination reports. The VA is required to obtain a new examination report that addresses the severity of the Veteran's conditions during the entire rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, the maximum available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's left shoulder calcific tendinitis is rated at 30 percent, the maximum available under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, BPPV, tinnitus, migraine headaches, low back disability, and cervical spine disability due to incomplete medical opinions that did not address all theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is now rated at 40 percent effective November 7, 2010. The claim for increased evaluation of the right knee strain has been granted with a 10 percent initial evaluation effective May 2, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, have rendered him unemployable since at least 2019. The Board has granted a TDIU effective July 12, 2024.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and effective date of January 10, 2024, for his thoracolumbar spine condition was granted. The effective date is based on the date he filed his Intent to File Claim form.