Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral leg and foot disabilities did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The Veteran's current disabilities were diagnosed after service, but he failed to provide good cause for missing scheduled VA examinations. As such, his claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed knee disabilities, including thoracolumbar spine disability, are not related to service and have denied his claims for service connection.

The Board granted SMC based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and headaches. The decision also addressed whether her TDIU could be based on a single disability or multiple ones.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and secondary left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The conditions are related to his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine with cervicalgia was granted a 30 percent rating effective April 17, 2023.

The Board has determined that the most recent VA examination for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was inadequate and directed the RO to provide a new examination. The Veteran is seeking an increased initial rating for his lumbar strain with arthritis and IVDS.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided do not comply with the remand directives. Therefore, another remand is necessary to obtain the requested retrospective estimates for the Veteran's right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records and scheduling of a VA examination. The issues include initial ratings for various spinal conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar degenerative disk disease with herniated disks and stenosis status post hemilaminectomy, microdiscectomy, and fusion, have rendered him unemployable since February 5, 2016. The Board has granted a TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU as there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of an onset in service or relationship to service.,The VA examiners concluded that the current conditions were not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical, lumbar, and thoracic spine disabilities due to a lack of VA examination. The Veteran is advised to provide any missing records and undergo VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine prior to June 19, 2024 and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) due to incomplete development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, a lumbar disorder, a cervical disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, PTSD), a bilateral foot disorder, and carpal tunnel syndrome (right upper extremity) based on new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded to determine if these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, a lumbar disorder, a cervical disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, PTSD), and a bilateral foot disorder based on new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded to determine if these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found new and relevant evidence did not support reopening the claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and lumbosacral strain, but acknowledged that the Veteran had current disabilities of these conditions. The decision is mixed as it denied one claim (bilateral plantar fasciitis) and granted another (lumbosacral strain).

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Veteran's conditions are found to be due to military wear-and-tear from multiple parachute jumps and long marches during his active duty.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection for a recurrent lumbar spine disability to include scoliosis and spinal stenosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically her left lower extremity radiculopathy, have resulted in the permanent loss of use of her left foot for the purposes of establishing eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment. As such, she is granted this benefit.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis. The back and right shoulder conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for Parkinsonism, neurological impairments of the upper and lower extremities, and a lumbar cyst are being remanded due to incomplete records regarding alleged radiation exposure during service.