Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service event or injury leading to his current condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the service connection claims for human papillomavirus epithelial cell abnormality, back disorder, and allergic rhinitis due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee issue with osteoarthritis, mild degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and left hip issues due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a labral tear and cartilage defect of the left shoulder, DDD of the lumbar spine, and SI joint dysfunction due to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The decision is based on the current disabilities being causally related to injuries sustained during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee strain with osteoarthritis, lumbosacral strain, and lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbosacral strain due to a lack of consideration of continuity of symptoms since separation.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability rating from 40% to 10% effective July 1, 2021 was proper. The restoration of the 40% rating is denied.

The Board has vacated the previous remands and dismissed the appeals for a compensable evaluation for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain due to delays in processing the Veteran's request to withdraw the appeals.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The claims of service connection for bilateral foot pain, left knee disorder, and right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from August 31, 2013 to June 30, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to initial ratings for various conditions as the Veteran, through her authorized representative, requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including back, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, and left ankle disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has denied service connection for a personality disorder, finding that it is not a disability for which service connection may be granted.,Service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as chronic sleep impairment (insomnia), are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records, including a lack of color photographs of his scars. The claims are being returned to the agency that made the initial decision.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral disability has been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Board Appeal request was not timely filed with respect to the June 14, 2023 rating decision that decreased the rating for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine to 20 percent effective September 1, 2023.

The Veteran's SSD is granted, and his back disability and left knee disability are both rated at 40 percent.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings and a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on the lumbar spine, RLE radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, and hypertension has been dismissed. The Veteran's headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected hypertension, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his military service and that there is no evidence of pre-service existence or aggravation during service.