Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Board Appeal request was not timely filed within one year of the May 20, 2024 rating decision. The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to show good cause for the late filing.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of December 7, 2020 for service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities.

The Board has found pre-decisional duty to assist errors in the claims for service connection of cervical strain and lumbosacral strain, requiring additional development including obtaining STRs from Fort Hood and a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's disability ratings for neck and right shoulder conditions were reduced, but the Board found these reductions improper due to lack of proper procedural steps.

The Veteran's appeal to extend the time to file a Board Appeal request for the October 24, 2024 rating decision was denied. The appeal is dismissed as untimely.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis and IVDS, along with left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, are all granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine has been withdrawn, resulting in dismissal of these claims.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right ankle injury with residuals and granted service connection for lumbar sprain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's representative requested a copy of the claims file, but it has not been provided.

The Board has decided that service connection for a back disability is denied, and the claim for dizziness is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral foot condition (to include plantar fasciitis), and low back condition have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service aggravation for bilateral pes planus or secondary service connection for plantar fasciitis. Service connection was also denied for the Veteran's low back condition due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted as service connection based on continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and erectile dysfunction is denied due to lack of current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with associated left and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities render him unemployable, allowing for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied because he is not in need of such assistance due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that while the Veteran requires some help with daily activities, he does not meet the criteria for needing regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of March 1, 2019 for the award of a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The TDIU was awarded due to service-connected disabilities preventing the Veteran from securing or following substantially gainful employment. DEA benefits were granted as part of this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease and osteophytes of the cervical spine. The initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the cervical spine condition is remanded.

The Veteran's tinea pedis has been granted an initial 10 percent rating. The Board has identified pre-decisional duty to assist errors for the remaining issues and has ordered remand for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, as well as his requests for earlier effective dates for increased evaluations of his service-connected asthma and headaches. The issues are related to incomplete evidence and need further development.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized by degenerative disc disease, joint disease, and spondylosis, has been rated at 40 percent since December 8, 2020. The rating is subject to the laws and regulations governing monetary awards.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle disorder and thoracolumbar spine disorder are remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been dismissed as withdrawn by the appellant.