Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

Your appeal has been dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of your case. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claims at this time.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for all issues related to service connection and increased rating claims. The Board dismissed the appeals due to the withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, low back disability, eye disabilities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate cancer, and SMC at the housebound rate due to deficiencies in obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records related to the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis with stenosis and spondylosis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is required to be provided VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated sciatic nerve neuropathy in both legs are rated at 40 percent, with separate ratings of 20 percent for each leg. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and mood is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's left knee sprain, lateral meniscus tear, and patellofemoral syndrome are granted as secondary to his service-connected foot and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's tension headaches, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) are all granted as secondary to service-connected cervical spine disability. The claims for these conditions have been resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent, effective June 12, 2014. The Board also remanded for earlier effective dates for service connection and DEA benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left foot, left knee, low back, right foot, and right knee conditions due to a duty to assist error in obtaining adequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine pain and dry eye syndrome are found to have begun during service, warranting service connection.,Right knee pain is secondary to the Veteran's left knee synovitis, also established as service-connected.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for flatfoot, bilateral and lumbosacral strain. The right knee and left knee disability ratings have been reduced to 10 percent effective April 2025. The claim for secondary service connection of the lumbar spine strain is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's reduction of the rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease from 40% to 20% was improper. The earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status and SMC based on aid and attendance were denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands the case for further action.

The Veteran's low back disability is related to a hit and run accident during active duty training in 1988, which the Board finds meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional efforts are needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and VA treatment records, which may provide relevant information for the claims of service connection. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, TBI, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, a skin condition, lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee patellar instability, and bilateral shin splints are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that her current low back disability is at least as likely related to her in-service injury and symptoms.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board found no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating. The appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 40 percent was denied.