Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for an earlier effective date prior to May 25, 2018, for the grant of service connection for a back disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a right hip disorder and remanded the claim for service connection for a lower back disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to military service, as there was no evidence of auditory damage during service. The left knee disability is also not related to military service.,The Veteran's left hip disability, lumbar disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, and cesarean section scar were not related to military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorder, moderate cocaine use disorder, severe marijuana use disorder, is granted as service connected. PTSD was denied due to lack of a valid diagnosis.

The Board has denied an increased disability rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) as the evidence does not support a finding of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes warranting higher ratings.

Your appeal for service connection of low back disability has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, low back condition, RLE radiculopathy, and LLE radiculopathy. The Board finds that these conditions are of a nature and severity that rendered the Veteran unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and experience.

The Board has remanded the claims for thoracolumbar strain, right knee strain, left knee strain, left thumb strain, left index finger strain, left middle finger strain, left ring finger strain, left little finger strain, right thumb strain, right index finger strain, right middle finger strain, and right ring finger strain as they are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of the May 30, 2023 rating decision that granted service connection for deviated septum at zero percent effective March 3, 2022 and denied service connection for neck disability, back disability, COPD, and hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for fibromyalgia has been denied. The Board found the VA examination inadequate and remanded her claims for service connection for back condition, neck condition, and CFS.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective June 8, 2023, due to his service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder.,The Veteran is also entitled to SMC based on housebound from June 8, 2023, as he has a single service-connected disability rated at 100% and additional disabilities independently ratable above 60%.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, effective from October 24, 2025. Service connection for a back disability and right shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic migraines was dismissed as moot because the claim was granted from the date the intent to file a claim for compensation was received on April 3, 2024. The other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and vertebral fracture, as well as radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, are being remanded due to a failure to consider private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity nerve damage, and left lower extremity nerve damage have been granted due to new evidence showing a link between these conditions and his service-connected left ankle dysfunction/deformity.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection for epilepsy and a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left eye condition, bilateral knee pain, low back pain, and bilateral shoulder pain due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's STRs are incomplete and need to be obtained, as well as VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain an etiological opinion regarding the appellant's current back disability. The appellant is advised to submit any private nexus opinions from Dr. L.H.

The Board has determined that new evidence submitted by the Veteran relates to his service connection claims for a back disability, prostate cancer, and kidney disease. As such, these claims are being remanded for further review.