Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and the need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain during the period on appeal, without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted as of January 5, 2021 due to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with spinal fusion and IVDS.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine degenerative changes with canal stenosis, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), and tinnitus.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and for VA examinations regarding the nature and etiology of the appellant's claimed neck and back conditions. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a neck condition, a back condition, and an acquired psychiatric condition are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, low back disability, peripheral vascular diseases of both lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, onychomycosis, hypertension, and skin cancer. As a result, the Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to errors in the AOJ's decision, requiring additional examinations and opinions regarding his sleep apnea, eye disabilities, low back disability, and right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee condition and back condition due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant service treatment records, including those from ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA, and provide the Veteran with an adequate examination if necessary.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease was granted, with the effective date being determined by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of her acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disability, chronic migraines, skin condition, and respiratory condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), is related to service. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, TBI, and cognitive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 19, 2023. The Board has granted an earlier effective date for the TDIU with SMC based on housebound criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral eye disability (keratoconus), lumbar DDD, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to lumbar DDD, and right hip osteoarthritis. Service connection was denied for left hip disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred or aggravated in active service and denied service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that her current condition is causally related to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various disabilities, including left knee disability, right knee disability, low back disability, sleep apnea syndrome, hypothyroidism, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran not filing a timely Notice of Disagreement within one year from the date of the notification letters.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without showing good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and lumbar spine conditions due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete evidence. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with neural foraminal stenosis and spondylolisthesis, claimed as a back condition, is granted because it is presumed to have been aggravated by service. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence that the increase in severity was due to the natural progression of the disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for low back disability, finding no new and relevant evidence since the previous denial in September 2017.