Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU due to lack of factual support and found that the Veteran's unemployability was not a result of his service-connected conditions during the one-year look-back period.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a lumbar spine disability, as there were errors in the initial decision and additional evidence needs to be considered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective opinion on the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to August 20, 2019. The Veteran is seeking higher evaluations for his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's right foot disability, lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies have been granted increased ratings with the right foot receiving a 30% rating, the lumbar spine a 40%, left lower extremity radiculopathy involving femoral nerve and sciatic nerve each receiving a 20%, and right lower extremity radiculopathy involving femoral and sciatic nerves each receiving a 60%. The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been granted effective from August 16, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his neck, back, and right wrist disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of effective dates and ratings related to lumbar spine strain, Dupuytren's contracture in the left hand with ankylosis, and Dupuytren's contracture in the right hand with osteoarthritis. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions, including back disorder, right leg disorders, left leg disorders, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, non-electrical stress attacks, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, bilateral hand disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral foot disability.,Service connection is denied for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, but granted TDIU and SMC based on housebound criteria due to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board dismissed the appeal for lumbosacral spine disorder due to the Veteran's death, and no one has requested substitution.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder has been granted service connection.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder other than allergic rhinitis and sinusitis was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, either alone or in combination, did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his education, training, and experience for the appeal period prior to May 4, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including metabolic myopathy with bladder disability rated at 60 percent disabling since January 16, 2008, and cerebrovascular accident rated at 100 percent disabling from August 23, 2017 through March 1, 2018, have not rendered him unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip pain, finding that it began during her active duty and is associated with her pre-existing transitional vertebra L5 condition.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied the remaining claims due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's knee, hand, hip, and back conditions were not related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for low back disorder with radiculopathy, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder. The Veteran's claims of these conditions are based on direct service connection without any presumption or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to deficiencies in the October 2023 VA medical opinions and requests for information regarding the qualifications of the examiner.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and discharge characterization due to incomplete records, including potential court-martial charges or proceedings. The appellant's claim will be readjudicated based on all available evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, an eye disability, and headaches with dizziness due to incomplete medical opinions addressing the Veteran's contentions of self-treatment and continuity since service.