Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the decision to deny reentrance into a VR&E program was based on an inadequate evaluation and remands the case for further review.

The Board has found that the Veteran requires personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on his inability to perform activities of daily living and need for supervision or protection due to symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment. The VA will now evaluate whether participation in the PCAFC program is in the Veteran's best interest.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lower back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine or forward flexion to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's tinnitus, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left lower extremity disorder, right lower extremity disorder, right knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are all granted as service connected. The effective date for the grant of service connection is November 19, 2019.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his combined service-connected disabilities, including back disability, migraines, and depression. The decision finds the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's conditions began in or were caused by her active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in failing to provide an adequate medical opinion regarding direct service connection for low back disability. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with additional evidence and opinions.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection as the AOJ had not yet issued a decision on these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The other conditions are remanded for further review.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability as moot because it was already granted in a separate appeal. The upper extremity radiculopathy claim is being remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD, with obesity as an intermediate step. The Veteran's chronic low back and neck disabilities are also found to be related to his service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service. The issues are also intertwined and require further review.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety, alcohol use disorder, stimulant use disorder) have been granted. The Board found that the evidence supported a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence having been submitted, including his in-service experiences and current symptoms.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is due to an in-service motor vehicle accident and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is more likely than not related to service.

The Board has denied an effective date prior to October 5, 2021 for the award of service connection for GERD. The claims of service connection for recurrent sinus disability, thoracic spine disability, and lumbar spine disability are remanded.

Your original 20% disability rating for lumbar strain was reduced to 10%, effective October 28, 2024. The VA has now restored your 20% rating back to December 27, 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, along with other service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more disabling since February 28, 2019, has prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate on a statutory basis.