Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and low back disability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments related to his service-connected disabilities, particularly regarding his back condition. The issues of PTSD service connection, initial ratings for ankle strains, and TDIU are also pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination regarding his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claim for a higher rating for tension headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the lack of a VA examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions. The Board finds that additional development is necessary to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current disabilities and his active service.

The Board has found pre-decisional duty to assist errors in the claims for GAD, hypertension and pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation with aortic insufficiency and mitral regurgitation, lumbosacral strain (back condition), right knee strain, and left knee strain. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's application for PCAFC benefits was denied due to not meeting the criteria of needing personal care services based on activities of daily living. The Board found that the decision summary and reasoning were inadequate, and thus remanded the case for further review.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus and cervical spine disability is granted, while the appeal for severance of service connection for headaches is restored. The rating for lumbar spine disability remains at 40 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating granted for left lower extremity neurological impairment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that his condition had its onset during active service and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left pes planus, as well as low back disability. The claim for migraines remains pending.

The Veteran's transport to a nursing home on September 20, 2021 was not eligible for reimbursement by VA because the Veteran did not meet the eligibility criteria under VA policies.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20% rating for lumbar strain, which was previously reduced to 0%. The reduction was improper due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board has granted service connection for left greater trochanteric pain syndrome, lumbosacral strain, and left shoulder impingement syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right hip disabilities. The effective date of these determinations is February 6, 2026.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine stenosis and DDD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder bicipital tendonitis, cervical spine DDD, stenosis and facet arthropathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy have all been granted. The claims are based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine stenosis and DDD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder bicipital tendonitis, cervical spine DDD, stenosis and facet arthropathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy have all been granted. The claims are based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine stenosis and DDD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder bicipital tendonitis, cervical spine DDD, stenosis and facet arthropathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy have all been granted. The claims are based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine stenosis and DDD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder bicipital tendonitis, cervical spine DDD, stenosis and facet arthropathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy have all been granted. The claims are based on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for additional analysis regarding whether obesity served as an intermediate step between his service-connected right knee disability and the development of his secondarily claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine stenosis and DDD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder bicipital tendonitis, cervical spine DDD, stenosis and facet arthropathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy have all been granted. The claims are based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine stenosis and DDD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder bicipital tendonitis, cervical spine DDD, stenosis and facet arthropathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy have all been granted. The claims are based on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to missing VA records and unsuccessful attempts to retrieve private treatment records. The Veteran is advised to submit any available private information.