Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for low back disability due to an improper concurrent election, as there was already a pending Supplemental Claim regarding this issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection awards of cervical strain with spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The effective dates were set at September 27, 2010.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including residuals of a right forearm burn, left and right shin splints, chronic disability manifested by right toe numbness, back and right hip disabilities as well as left and right heel spurs. The most probative evidence shows that these conditions were not present during or due to her military service.

The Board has denied service connection for low back strain, right and left ear hearing loss, bilateral foot disability, hypertension, respiratory condition, sinusitis, and rhinitis. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and service connection for his low back disability is granted. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and neck disability, finding that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it had its onset during his active service.,For the other conditions, including jaw condition, neck condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right hand condition, left hand condition, right foot condition, chest pain, and shortness of breath, there is no probative evidence showing they were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: service connection for a back condition status post laminectomy, service connection for diverticulitis (claimed as a colon condition), and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The reasons for the remands are provided in detail.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent effective August 26, 2025.,From November 23, 2024 to present, the Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent as of April 21, 2023. The Board has remanded the case for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding her lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral shoulder conditions.,The Veteran has been granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis. The appeal remains pending for the other issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain with instability and effusion, right knee strain with instability and effusion, lumbosacral strain, and PTSD with bipolar II disorder and alcohol use disorder. The decision also denied entitlement to total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU and DEA eligibility on and after February 7, 2022.

The Board has determined that the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a low back disability should be remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. A new examination is required for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and avitaminosis, but denied service connection for a back disorder. The GERD is related to military service, while the avitaminosis is linked to service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The back disorder was not found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability within the year prior to the receipt of his claims.,The Veteran's lumbar spine IVDS is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5243, and he seeks a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability (claimed as lumbar injury) may be related to service, and therefore remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck strain and lumbosacral strain with right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.