Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The appellant withdrew his appeal for a higher evaluation of service-connected lumbar strain, and the Board dismissed it as a matter of law.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for their right thumb disability, bilateral pes planus, spondylolisthesis (back disability), residual arthritis of the left wrist, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right and left lower extremities, and laceration scar of the third digit of the right hand. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied a TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not preventing him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the claimed conditions, resulting in their dismissal.

The Veteran's eligibility to specially adapted housing (SAH) is granted due to his permanent and total disability involving both lower extremities, which precludes locomotion without the aid of assistive devices. The appeal for special home adaptation (SHA) is dismissed as it is rendered moot by the grant of SAH.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus.,The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to higher ratings for lumbosacral strain with DDD and spondylosis, right knee sprain with residual mild chronic tendonitis and early osteoarthritis, and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for neck and right shoulder disabilities, but has remanded the claims for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus. The Board found no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record, except for a finding of left lumbar radiculopathy (sciatic), which was granted based on direct service connection due to an in-service back injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative changes, left shoulder degenerative changes, lumbar spine degenerative changes, and right shoulder osteoarthritis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran was not afforded VA examinations for these conditions.

The Veteran was awarded a TDIU effective February 25, 2017, due to his service-connected back and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of secondary service connection for right leg pain, as there was insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating greater than 20 percent for degenerative disc disease other than IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ will provide the Veteran with a VA Back Conditions and a VA Peripheral Nerves examination to determine the severity of his disabilities while discounting the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's petition to readjudicate the claim for service connection for diabetes based on new and relevant evidence is granted. The claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be a contributing factor in his current erectile dysfunction. The Board also finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left ankle disability are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability rating and service connection for various disorders have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for a back disability (lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, spondylolisthesis, and vertebral fracture) due to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder has been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence, including a June 2024 statement from the Veteran detailing his work as a vehicle mechanic in service and resulting low back symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete and inadequate VA examinations, as well as potential pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The claims will be reconsidered with additional evidence and a thorough review of all relevant records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's back disability is related to his service, including any in-service injuries or conditions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for acquired psychiatric disorder, and increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was also remanded.