Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) effective December 29, 2011.,The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also granted as of December 29, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability. These claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and rating issues, leading to the dismissal of all appeals.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are each granted a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's hypertension, back condition with right leg sciatica, and left and right knee conditions are all granted. The Veteran's PTSD is denied for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were the second complete claims received within one year after his intent to file a claim. The effective dates for these benefits are denied as they do not meet the criteria set by law.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from working, and he has the necessary skills to transition into suitable employment without direct intervention of Chapter 31 benefits.

The appeal for the right torn bicep was dismissed as it has been granted and rendered moot. The appeals for TMJ, skin condition, and lumbar spine disorder are remanded due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and major depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 30, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including whether it is related to service or secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his chronic lumbosacral strain with arthritis was denied. The issue of TDIU and SMC were granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete records from VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo further VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU based solely on his service-connected lumbar spine disorder from April 16, 2016 until prior to June 24, 2016 is denied as the evidence does not support that he was unemployable due solely to this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for further development due to notification deficiencies and procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 5, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar strain, degenerative disc disease with levoscoliosis. The issues are related to rating determinations for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU has been dismissed as the issue was fully granted through the appeal period.,The criteria for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability in excess of 40 percent prior to August 16, 2019, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter are not met. The Veteran does not have unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's lumbar spine scar is rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7805 due to its small size.

The Veteran's TDIU based on unspecified psychotic disorder is granted for the period from August 10, 2007 to October 14, 2021. The claim of entitlement to a TDIU beginning on October 14, 2021 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted since the November 2025 Supplemental Statement of the Case.