Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for migraines and a lumbar disability due to insufficient medical evidence on file, and the need for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy and degenerative facet joint changes, is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the October 2020 VA opinion.

The Board granted a TDIU from June 21, 2021, to April 8, 2022, but denied the claim for prior to that date due to the Veteran's ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is rated at 20 percent, and his PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective April 11, 2023, and SMC based on housebound status effective the same date.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development of the record, including a thorough examination of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy conditions, including during flare-ups and after repetitive use over time.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent from February 26, 2012 to October 19, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his current condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the November 2025 Board remand directives, and therefore, the claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis of the scalp, lumbar spine disability, tonsillitis, and erectile dysfunction are being remanded again for further development.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral knee conditions, as well as a rating greater than 30 percent for migraines from March 17, 2016 to April 22, 2021. The issues of service connection for bilateral ankle, digestive, skin, bilateral shin splints, respiratory conditions, entitlement to TDIU and SMC based on housebound status were remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome and radiculopathy, as well as left shoulder tendinopathy.,Service connection for hypertension as proximately due to posttraumatic stress disorder was also granted.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and initial disability rating for lumbar spine degenerative disk disease prior to February 26, 2014 are denied. A 20 percent disability rating is granted for the lumbar spine degenerative disc disease from February 26, 2014 to June 13, 2017. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and cervical spine are currently rated at 20 percent, which is denied as not meeting criteria for a higher rating. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is also rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a head injury and cervical spine condition have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.,New evidence has established continuity of symptoms since service, supporting the Veteran's claim.

Service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to hypertension is granted.,The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis, status-post right hip replacement, including femoral acetabular impingement syndrome, was assigned a 90 percent rating effective from September 25, 2024.,Earlier effective dates for the 30 percent ratings for osteoarthritis and a degenerative rotator cuff of each shoulder are denied as there is no evidence of record in the one year period prior to September 25, 2024, that these criteria were met.,The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease including intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis, and lumbosacral strain with arthritis was assigned a 40 percent rating effective from August 29, 2023.

The Veteran's low back strain is rated at 40 percent, and the issues of IBS and CFS are dismissed. The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder with a major depressive episode do not meet criteria for a higher rating. Service connection is granted for cervical strain and right knee pain.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, and spinal stenosis was granted with an effective date of February 10, 2022.

The Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative disc disease is rated at 30 percent, and he is granted service connection for vertigo and cervicogenic headaches secondary to this condition.

The Veteran's low back disability was found to have its onset during active-duty service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.