Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of his condition and quantifying subjective symptoms described during his May 2022 Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his back disability, as well as a need for additional information on his unemployability claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pes planus, low back condition, right hip condition, and bilateral knee condition due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran must undergo additional examinations or obtain supplemental medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was granted, with the Board finding that his current disabilities are related to his in-service diagnoses of sacralization and pseudoarthrosis.

The Board found that the reduction in the Veteran's back disability rating from 40 percent to 20 percent effective May 1, 2025 was proper based on sustained improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's current low back disability was incurred in active service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial ratings for service-connected nonspecific headaches and tinnitus were denied, while the VA remanded several other claims.,For the left knee disability and right knee disability, the VA found that more than a certain percentage rating was warranted but remanded to clarify examination findings.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of more than moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and low back pain are remanded due to inadequate consideration of all symptomology in prior VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right arm disability is remanded as the medical opinion did not address whether any diagnosed conditions are related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's lumbar disability is granted service connection, and a 70 percent rating for his psychiatric disability is granted. The claims for left ear hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, and dermatosis of the right leg are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his active duty service and his current condition.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), back disability, and chronic bronchitis. These claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not require personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to his pituitary adenoma, bipolar disorder, hernia, and low back pain. The evidence did not support finding significant impairments requiring hands-on assistance or supervision.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased initial disability ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity. The claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has denied a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss and has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, adjustment disorder, vertigo, chronic sinusitis, and sleep apnea. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records and provide VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for enrollment in the PCAFC program is being remanded due to an inadequate decision from the AOJ. The Board finds that the eligibility criteria were not properly considered, and additional evidence should be evaluated.

The Veteran's increased ratings for back, neck, left foot hallux valgus, bilateral foot condition, and left knee conditions have been denied.,Specifically, the Board found that there is no evidence of ankylosis or functional ankylosis in any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, left eye disability, tinnitus, lumbar spondylosis with facet arthrosis and Schmorl nodes, right wrist disability (status post ganglion cyst removal), night coughing, chest pain and recurring rib displacement, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, headache disability, bilateral pes planus, right hand disability, and left knee disability has been dismissed due to untimely filings of the Notice of Disagreement.

The Board has found that the medical opinions obtained by the AOJ are inadequate and constitutes a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's claims for service connection for his back and shoulder disabilities are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is granted as service connected. The case for service connection of asbestosis is remanded due to the need for a CT scan and an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for enuresis was withdrawn. The claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine disability with intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease is granted, effective from August 28, 2021.