Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder disability, and other conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis was denied because he failed to report to a VA examination, and there is no evidence of an increase in his disability rating.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for a back condition due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal. The issue of service connection for residuals from an eye injury is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling, effective from the date of this decision. The TDIU claim is denied as moot due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD already meeting the criteria for a total schedular rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of January 1, 2025. The Board granted the TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent, effective October 1, 2023.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are granted effective May 5, 2021.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for his back disability from 40% to 20%, effective December 1, 2025, as the reduction was improper and void ab initio.

The Veteran's diabetes is being remanded for a new VA medical opinion to address the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his diagnosed diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for higher SMC was denied as his need for aid and attendance is already covered by the current rate, and he does not meet criteria for additional rates based on blindness or loss of use.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a low back disability are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain effective from August 1, 2014, the first day of the month following the Veteran's discharge from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring an addendum opinion on whether service-connected bilateral pes planus with calcaneal spurs and/or right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis and left knee instability worsen the Veteran's lower back pain with degenerative disc disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot plantar wart and a back disability, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability. The effective date is not specified as the grant was made subsequent to receipt of the notice of appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of low back and right knee disabilities has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for further medical examination. The issues include right foot osteoarthritis, cervical spondylosis, thoracic spondylosis and lumbosacral region disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left leg neuropathy, and right leg neuropathy.

The Veteran's headaches, thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are all granted as service-connected.,All issues related to the Veteran's claimed disabilities have been resolved in his favor.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain and dismissed his appeal for a compensable rating for sinusitis.