Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the other service connection claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA has not assigned a rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's increased evaluations for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted as it manifested within one year of separation from service and is not attributable to intercurrent causes.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the O and r-1 rates due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, bilateral knee conditions, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The need for aid and attendance is based on these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's need for supervision, protection, or instruction on a continuous basis due to her mental health conditions and physical disabilities has been met. She is granted a Level 2 stipend under the PCAFC program.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to obtain private treatment records. The Veteran's right hip, knee, shoulder disabilities are being reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the Veteran's claims for service connection were already granted in a previous decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for fatigue, right foot pes planus, and higher ratings for thoracolumbar strain with levoscoliosis are being remanded. The effective dates for the awards of service connection for thoracolumbar strain with levoscoliosis, left shoulder strain, and GERD remain denied.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for fatigue, right foot pes planus, and higher ratings for thoracolumbar strain with levoscoliosis are being remanded. The effective dates for the awards of service connection for thoracolumbar strain with levoscoliosis, left shoulder strain, and GERD remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various recurrent disabilities of the right and left hands, lower extremities, and knees are being remanded due to a lack of adequate medical examination or opinion regarding their onset during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain was incurred during a period of INACDUTRA, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of lumbosacral strain due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The claims are not granted as there is no current hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is being readjudicated due to new and relevant evidence submitted after the April 2018 rating decision. The issue of entitlement to service connection for his claimed back condition remains on appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of deviated nasal septum and Hashimoto's conditions. Service connection is granted for left shoulder, right shoulder, and lumbosacral conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical opinions addressing whether his current disabilities are related to his active duty.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of December 18, 2018 for various ratings and Dependents' Educational Assistance awards.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, along with various radiculopathy conditions and neuritis, is rated at a maximum of 40 percent.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the low back and hypertension, as well as SMC based on being housebound. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain, including as due to a service-connected cervical spine disability. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.