Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have caused him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, migraines, PTSD, right shoulder condition, melanoma of the skin, and asthma have all been denied. The Board found that there is no current evidence of a diagnosed disability in any of these cases.,There was insufficient medical evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the appellant's lumbar IVDS with degenerative arthritis prior to October 20, 2020. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle tendonitis and lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

All appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals related to these issues at a hearing.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for PTSD and denied service connection for Diabetes Mellitus, Type II; Hypertension; a nerve condition of the bilateral lower extremities; Low back condition; Urinary frequency; and Fused neck condition. The appeal was dismissed as untimely.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's low back condition is being reviewed again, with an emphasis on whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability was restored to a 20 percent rating, and he is granted TDIU from February 23, 2020, to November 5, 2020. DEA benefits are also granted during this period.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection, but the status of his hernia and TDIU claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that there is no evidence of a link between his current disability and his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the Veteran not filing a timely Notice of Disagreement within one year of receiving rating decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back condition, left foot condition, and right foot condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The VA will provide additional examinations or obtain further medical opinions to determine if there is any link between the Veteran's service and his current conditions.

The Veteran's back condition was caused by active duty service, and the Board granted service connection for a back condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right knee, left knee, and back conditions due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which he asserts had its onset during active service.

The appeal seeking service connection for a right shoulder disability and low back disability is dismissed. The appeals seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder disability, and neck disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disk disease began during service and continues to this day, meeting all criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran and his spouse are not eligible for benefits under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to a lack of evidence showing they need personal care services from another individual. The case is being remanded to allow further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine has been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show an increase in severity within one year prior to the date of intent to file.

The appeals for service connection of various conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran, who was the original claimant.