Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, amputation of the left foot digits, and a low back disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence to support direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to a duty to assist error and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the case should be remanded for additional development due to duty-to-assist errors and an opinion on etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as he did not have unfavorable ankylosis.,Service connection for an ear infection was also denied because there is no current evidence of such condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain missing National Guard records, including those from his time in the Alabama Army National Guard.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, lumbar spine, and left ankle disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 15, 2021 for the award of service connection for low back degenerative arthritis and pain, status post partial laminectomy with intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring an addendum medical opinion on the nature and etiology of the appellant's DDD other than IVDS.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable and effective from February 21, 2023.,Service connection for a lumbar strain was granted with an effective date of June 7, 2021. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date but it was denied.,Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been service connected and the effective date is August 8, 2022.,Depressive disorder received a grant with an effective date of June 7, 2021.,Service connection for BPPV was granted as secondary to migraines.,Right hip condition and left hip condition were denied service connection.,Acne, erectile dysfunction, scars, diabetes, left foot condition, right foot condition, and retina condition were all denied service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied, and his TDIU claim from July 22, 2022 was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to readjudicate the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back condition, a neck condition, and rheumatoid arthritis. The issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of the provided evidence.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the VA medical opinions provided and remanded the cases for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for eligibility under the PCAFC program due to a lack of proper notice and an inadequate medical opinion. The AOJ must provide complete notice as required by law, including identification of findings favorable to the claimant and elements not satisfied leading to the denial.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for a back disability, an initial compensable rating for headaches, and entitlement to TDIU require further development due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the November 2024 rating decision did not address the earlier effective dates for the ratings assigned for the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine disability, and the December 2024 Notice of Disagreement only addressed these issues.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a 20% rating, effective from the date of decision. The low back disability is granted a 20% rating since March 28, 2024. The TDIU claim for the period July 10, 2014 to January 11, 2017 is dismissed as moot.

The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lower back condition, as well as plantar fasciitis, is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral blurry vision and dizziness have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.,The Board has remanded cases involving service connection for BHL, tinnitus, costochondritis, a back condition, LUE peripheral neuropathy, RUE peripheral neuropathy, LLE peripheral neuropathy, and RLE peripheral neuropathy.