Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied his claim for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an adequate VA examination and retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, particularly in relation to limited range of motion and associated functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her service-connected lumbar strain with chronic sacroiliac sprain/hypermobility is remanded due to the need for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of her condition prior to April 5, 2022.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40% rating effective January 10, 2024. The appellant is not entitled to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the March 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and associated polyradiculopathy disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The Veteran does not meet eligibility criteria for SMC based on housebound status due to his OCD being rated at 10 percent disabling.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective June 9, 2014, due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine conditions, finding that these conditions are a result of his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and failure to reschedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis have been granted increased ratings, but the spine disability remains at a 20 percent rating.,The Board has remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye condition, mid and low back disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability are being remanded due to the failure of VA to obtain relevant private treatment records from Dr. S.B., as well as a lack of a VA examination for his claimed disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, right and left hip, and right and left knee disabilities as well as gastrointestinal disability (including GERD, gastritis, gastroenteritis) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions of obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a back disability did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service or are due to a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and low back disorders due to potential errors in duty to assist. Additional medical opinions are needed to address causation.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted service connection as it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's left and right lower extremity neuropathy are also granted service connection as they are due to his service-connected back condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional private medical records.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is inadequate and requires further medical opinions to properly address the Veteran's service connection claim for a back condition.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbar spine disability, and headaches as secondary to his other specified trauma and stressor related disorder.,However, he remains denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for back conditions, including degenerative disc disease and spinal arthritis. The decision finds that there is at least approximate balance of evidence supporting a link between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current back conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis due to a lack of medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The Veteran contends his current condition is related to an injury during active service, but there are conflicting medical records indicating different causes.