Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Veteran's application for PCAFC was denied due to a lack of personal care services. The Board finds the CEAT review inadequate and remands for further evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for kyphosis and degenerative disc disease, as well as cervical strain with IVDS. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions had their onset in or were caused by service.

The Veteran's lumbar laminectomy scar is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's lower back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at 10 percent each. The VA examinations were inadequate to rate these disabilities accurately.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's effective dates for degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine and coccyx fracture are denied as they predate the date of receipt of claim.,The Veteran's effective dates for left hip pain disorder and right hip pain disorder are denied as they predate the date of receipt of claim.

The appeal concerning service connection for left hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired mental health condition (depression, anxiety and insomnia), a lumbar spine condition, a right knee condition, and a left knee condition is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for headaches, erectile dysfunction, and gastrointestinal condition are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted, except for stomach disorder, erectile dysfunction, neck disorder, migraine headaches, bilateral pes planus, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety), back disability, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as there was no factual basis to grant earlier effective dates.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, and right shoulder degenerative joint disease have all been rated at 20 percent since August 8, 2023.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a low back disability and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as there is no valid decision within one year prior to the October 2020 VA Form 10182 submission.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back injury, characterized as lumbosacral strain and spinal stenosis, began during his active-duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis right shoulder (dominant) and cervical spine degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee bursitis with instability, left knee bursitis with instability, and a back disability (kyphosis) as the evidence does not support that these conditions began during active service or are related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's HIV and related secondary service connection claims are remanded due to a lack of an examination regarding the relationship between his HIV and an unprotected sexual encounter during active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that new and relevant evidence has been received to reconsider the issue. The Veteran's current lumbar spine conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of evidence in favor of a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal seeking an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain and service connection for IBS, bilateral foot pain, a bilateral hip condition, neck strain, and sleep disturbances is dismissed as untimely.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various hip and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his conditions, as well as a potential procedural error in the previous examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative lumbar arthritis and injuries to his lower extremities, result in the loss of use of both lower extremities such that he is unable to effectively ambulate independently without assistive devices. This meets the criteria for specially adapted housing eligibility.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of PTSD and low back strain as the Veteran did not timely file a VA Form 10182, which is required to appeal these issues. The issue of service connection for PTSD was already granted in a previous rating decision.