Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right foot hallux rigidus with degenerative arthritis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee strain, left knee strain, and low back disability are all granted as service-connected. The claims for higher ratings on the right hip disabilities and service connection for a left hip disability (secondary to service-connected conditions) are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his September 2020 substantive appeal was not timely filed, based on the VA Form 9 being received after the expiration of the 60-day time limit for filing a substantive appeal following the February 2020 SOC.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to April 23, 2014 for the 20% ratings of left and right lower extremity radiculopathies are denied.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to July 2, 2024 for the grants of service connection for left and right upper extremity radiculopathies are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to July 2, 2024 for the increased rating of 40% for lumbar spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his low back disability. The left ankle and skin condition claims are denied as there is no evidence of a separate skin condition other than chronic urticaria, and service connection cannot be established based on direct evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral foot condition and remanded the claims for hypertension, right knee condition, right shoulder condition, back condition, neck condition, and bilateral upper extremity nerve condition due to incomplete evidence.

The Board denied service connection for lower back pain and total disability based upon individual unemployability, finding that the Veteran's current back complaints did not originate in or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of low back disorder and hernia have been dismissed due to their death prior to a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip, neck, left knee, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disabilities secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.,Reasoning: The evidence is in approximate balance regarding whether each of these conditions are caused by or aggravated by the service-connected right knee disability.

Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the right and left hip, and degenerative arthritis of the right and left ankle has been granted effective June 17, 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to missed VA examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, is found to be related to his active service.,His right upper extremity numbness and left upper extremity numbness are both determined to be secondary to his now service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, a thoracolumbar spine disability, and a cervical spine disability.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's right knee strain, chronic compression fracture of T5 vertebra, and lumbar degenerative joint disease (DJD).

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, sciatic radiculopathy, and femoral nerve radiculopathy disabilities have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied across multiple issues related to her lumbar spine, thigh, and knee disabilities. The appeals are all in the 'denied' disposition.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding no evidence of a nexus to service.,The Board also denied service connection for a low back condition, concluding that there was insufficient evidence linking the current disability to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, dermatitis, cellulitis, IBS, diverticulitis, hiatal hernia (GERD), and respiratory disability due to potential service connection based on in-service exposures. The VA must obtain updated medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle as secondary to service-connected low back disabilities.,Service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of chronic symptoms during active service and not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to herbicide exposure have been granted with effective dates of August 18, 2003. The Board also remanded several other issues including higher initial ratings and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied because he did not attend the scheduled VA examination without providing good cause.