Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits.,It found that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to his service-connected disabilities prior to December 20, 2013.

The Veteran's endometriosis is not service-connected as it is not caused or aggravated by her service-connected disability of status post fracture residuals left hip and pelvic injury with impairment.,The Veteran's right total hip joint replacement has been rated at 30 percent since October 2022, but the appeal seeks a higher rating based on residual weakness, pain, or limitation of motion.,The Veteran's right foot strain with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent and the appeal requests an increase in disability rating due to painful motion and walking difficulties.,The Veteran's status post fracture residuals left hip and pelvic injury SI joint has been rated at 10 percent, but the appeal seeks a higher rating based on limited flexion of the joint.,The Veteran's status post fracture residuals left hip and pelvic injury with impairment is currently rated at 10 percent and the appeal requests an increase in disability rating due to limitations in abduction and rotation.,The Veteran's status post fracture residuals left hip and pelvic injury SI joint with limited extension has been rated at 10 percent, but the appeal seeks a higher rating based on limited extension of the joint.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent and the appeal requests an increase in disability rating due to forward flexion limitations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder and sleep apnea, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent. He is already receiving special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities. Therefore, the issue of entitlement to a TDIU is moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's complete service treatment records could not be located and are unavailable for review. The appeal is being remanded to reconsider the claims as though these records were in VA custody at the time of the original decision.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and a higher rating for degenerative disc disease with IVDS, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis of the thoracolumbar spine have been denied. The evidence does not support granting these conditions.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected thoracolumbar scoliosis, lumbar levoscoliosis, and thoracic disc herniations. However, the Board denied entitlement to a TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected thoracolumbar scoliosis, lumbar levoscoliosis, and thoracic disc herniations. However, the Board denied entitlement to a TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for low back and left lower extremity radicular disorders must be remanded due to a failure of the AOJ to provide medical examinations. The Veteran's lay statements suggest an in-service fall, but no definitive link between these conditions and his military service or any diagnosed disorder could be established without further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his lumbosacral spine disability was dismissed because he requested and received permission to withdraw his scheduled Board hearing.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for a low back disability, and the Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has found multiple pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remands the following issues: service connection for tinea, initial compensable rating for pilonidal cyst, initial rating higher than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, initial compensable rating for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD. The Veteran served in the Coast Guard Reserve during the appeal period.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, degenerative arthritis, and IVDS are rated at 40 percent. His right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) is rated at 20 percent. Service connection for his right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations due to hospitalization during October 2019 constitutes a pre-decisional duty to assist error, and thus the claims are being remanded.

New evidence has been received to reconsider the claim for service connection of a back disability. The Veteran reported an in-service injury and ongoing symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his spondylosis, residuals of lumbar strains with arthritis was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to December 18, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating for degenerative disc disease, C4-C5, C5-C6, cervical spine due to insufficient evidence regarding the date of surgery and the length of convalescence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of information about the competency of the VA examiner who provided the retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to February 25, 2022. The AOJ is required to obtain and associate copies of the curricula vitae or similar demonstrable documentation with the claims file.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, left hip, right knee, and lower back conditions. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions are causally related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted, with a 40% disability rating effective from May 23, 2017. Service connection for left upper extremity RSD was denied.