Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his ability to perform most activities of daily living independently despite some limitations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain due to inadequate opinions regarding whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected plantar fasciitis and left shoulder disability, respectively. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to address causation and aggravation.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition, left knee condition, back condition, and onychomycosis.

The Board has dismissed the claim for hypertension as moot due to its grant in a previous decision. The claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, low back disability, lung disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and facial scar are all remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error in determining service connection for a head injury, diagnosed as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes cavus with hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, and lumbosacral scoliosis and IVDS are denied due to lack of earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's knee, ankle, and hip strains are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology. The lumbar spine condition is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy due to service or a service-connected disability, diabetes, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction (ED), and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision also remanded the claim for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of her service-connected lumbar disability is granted, with an effective date of October 3, 2024. Effective November 16, 2011, the Veteran's claims for right and left lower radiculopathy associated with her lumbar disability are also granted.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s range of motion did not meet criteria for higher ratings due to pain, weakness, or other factors.

The claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, malignant melanoma, and scoliosis have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for a back disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and thoracic spine.

The Board denied the appellant's request for attorney fees related to past-due benefits from the February 2025 grant of service connection and SMC housebound claims.

The Veteran's limitations in performing activities of daily living are consistent with being unable to sustain himself in the community, warranting Tier 2 benefits under the PCAFC program.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and degenerative changes of the right sacroiliac joint, finding that symptoms have been continuous since active-duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a low back disability due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain and consider the records of his chiropractic treatment at Integrity Chiropractic in Derby, Kansas.

The Veteran's radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, left leg is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, with degenerative arthritis. The right leg radiculopathy is also granted at a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted, including lumbar spine DDD, cervical spine disorder, LEFT shoulder disorder, bilateral ankle disorders, and basal cell carcinoma of the skin. Secondary service connection has also been established for radiculopathy in both lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of arthritis or other chronic disease manifesting within one year after separation from service and that the current low back disability did not have its onset in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain are related to an injury during his period of active duty for training (ADT) in 1991, and service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions had their onset during active duty and are related to his in-service injuries.