Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain and spondylosis is dismissed as a freestanding claim.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC on account of being housebound was dismissed. The Board granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, finding that he requires assistance with various daily activities due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his principal cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest. As such, the claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of his lower back condition was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it during a hearing. The Veteran's liver condition, claimed as hepatic steatosis (fatty liver), is now granted due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Board found that the Veteran's liver condition is likely caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and thus service connection can be established.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and obesity.,However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity is denied as it does not result in functional impairment independent of her other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective February 9, 2023. The Board denied an earlier effective date for these benefits as the earliest possible effective date is one year prior to his intent to file (February 9, 2022).

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection. The claims for left knee, right shoulder, and bilateral shoulder disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded several claims due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including for new VA medical opinions on right wrist and knee conditions, right foot condition, right ankle condition, erectile dysfunction, GERD, headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, dry eye syndrome, lumbar spine condition, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and evidence not considered in the initial decision. The Veteran's mental health condition, including PTSD, is being recharacterized as a mental health condition. The low back condition claim is also remanded for additional examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, resulting in the dismissal of all issues.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active service. The evidence shows a history of chronic headaches since 2013 during service and a VA physician provided an opinion supporting this relationship.,Service connection was also granted for low back pain with degenerative arthritis. The Board found that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service, noting consistent reports of back pain starting shortly after separation from active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain due to insufficient medical opinions and a need for further examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that the presumption of soundness does not apply and that the Veteran's current back disability is related to in-service back pain.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate (SMC) from August 3, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disability manifesting as shortness of breath, and has remanded the issue of service connection for low back injury due to insufficient rationale in the March 2020 VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and left-hand condition, but has remanded the claims of service connection for rib disability, right ankle disability, and right knee disability due to new evidence received.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various spinal and leg disorders due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine with strain prior to specific dates are being remanded due to procedural errors in the decision-making process.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence received since the last decision.