Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial ratings of her left shoulder strain and cervical spine disability due to new evidence or further clarification from the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a back disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death before a decision could be issued.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of cyst removal and low back disability, and has remanded the psychiatric and sling palsy appeals.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected spinal stenosis, degenerative arthritis, and related conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the October 2025 remand directives and additional medical opinions discussing the ameliorative effects of medication related to the Veteran's lumbar spine, right shoulder, and headache disabilities must be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for dermatosis papulosa nigra and recurrent cyst, as well as his claim for multiple joint arthritis (to include gout) other than cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral foot, and bilateral hand. The remand requires obtaining updated VA treatment records, gathering outside records from Dr. T.L., and requesting a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU for the period prior to July 31, 2008, finding that he was not rendered unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for lung and lumbar spine disorders have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and tension headaches have been dismissed due to a withdrawal request.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address possible evidence of left knee instability.

The Board has determined that the severance of SMC housebound benefits was improper and has granted restoration of these benefits.

Service connection for a psychiatric disorder is granted. Entitlement to an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for COPD is dismissed due to the Veteran being in receipt of the maximum available rating, 100 percent, for the entire period of service connection. Service connection for a back condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle condition and lumbar spine condition due to inadequate examinations, and TDIU claim due to lack of authorization for chiropractor records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle pain condition as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. However, the claim for a right ankle scar disability was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including depression, mental health disorder, TBI, alopecia, headaches, TMJ disorder, insomnia, OSA, conjunctivitis, dry eye disorder, glaucoma, PFB, rhinitis, sinusitis, deviated septum, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, asthma, hyperthyroid disorder, hives, anemia, DM (diabetes mellitus), heart disorder, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), kidney stones, hiatal hernia, hemorrhoids, right hip/thigh disorder, left hip/thigh disorder, varicose veins, heel spurs, pes planus, bunions, RUE neuropathy, LUE neuropathy, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, back disorder, RLE neuropathy, LLE neuropathy, HTN (hypertension), GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), bladder disorder, ED (erectile dysfunction), prostate disorder, and gout.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability as secondary to his right knee degenerative arthritis and right ankle sprain, finding that there was no medical relationship between these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was not rated as more than noncompensable due to intermittent readings above the threshold for a compensable rating.,Service connection was granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis, with no specific service-connected condition or exposure basis provided.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine, finding that his service-connected condition aggravated his nonservice-connected OSA.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, including spondylosis, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), facet joint arthritis, and L4-5 disc bulge, is now rated at 40 percent effective June 11, 2019.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to a procedural defect, specifically for filing a Notice of Disagreement that constituted a concurrent election with another pending claim.