Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's back disability is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in the Veteran's favor.,Right ankle sprain is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in the Veteran's favor.,Restless leg syndrome of the left leg is remanded due to lack of a proper examination and opinion.,Restless leg syndrome of the right leg is remanded for similar reasons.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, variously diagnosed as mild facet arthrosis and disc bulge at L4-5 and L5-S1, lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration, and low back pain. The Veteran's left knee disability incurred during active service in October 2013 is also recognized.

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for lumbosacral strain, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left hip strain with impairment of thigh, a compensable rating for left hip strain with limitation of flexion, and a compensable rating for left hip strain with limitation of extension.

Service connection for IBS is granted. The claims for initial increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee meniscal tear, and PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to a lack of determination on whether it is in his best interest. The Board found that he has been in need of personal care services for at least six continuous months based on his psychiatric and physical disorders, but further evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the PCAFC program would be in his best interest.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation as of January 8, 2015.,Effective January 8, 2015, the Veteran is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance due to his permanent total disability status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder strain and lumbosacral strain were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable or higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the VA decision denying enrollment in the PCAFC program was not based on a proper application of the law and regulations, specifically regarding the definition of 'supervision, protection, or instruction' under 38 C.F.R. § 71.15. The Board therefore remands the case for further action.

Service connection for lumbosacral strain with thoracic strain is granted. The vision problems claim, related to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune, is remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative disc disease and IVDS, lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve were denied. The Veteran was granted SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and ratings have been dismissed due to procedural deficiencies in the Notice of Disagreement (NOD) filed by his representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence of a relationship between his current condition and his in-service injury. The Board also found that the arthritis did not manifest within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS is granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for the entire rating period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to insufficient retrospective medical opinions addressing additional functional loss during flareups and with repeated use over time. The VA needs to obtain new addendum opinions for both cervical spine and low back disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left hip arthritis, right hip arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis. The conditions are deemed to be directly related to the Veteran's parachute jumps during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and no relationship to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for further development to determine its nature and etiology, including consideration of in-service events and symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if there is additional functional limitation in the Veteran's back disability before June 13, 2014 without medication.