Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's right hip disorder and scar were granted service connection with effective dates of December 7, 2016.,Tinnitus was granted a 10% disability rating with an effective date of December 7, 2016. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating.,Service connection for the psychiatric disorder and low back disorder were granted with effective dates of July 15, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining necessary medical records and an adequate nexus opinion. The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is being reviewed again with new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded due to the lack of adequate medical opinions and failure to obtain an informed consent form.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of IBS have been granted. The Board has also determined that the Veteran should be afforded additional VA examinations to address his claims for erectile dysfunction, GERD, lower back strain (lumbosacral strain), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and sciatica right leg.

The Veteran's wife has been providing regular care and assistance to the Veteran since February 13, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board grants an effective date of February 13, 2017 for SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and acid reflux, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active military service.,The claim seeking service connection for migraines is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's post-operative lumbar spine disability, finding that it worsened during his periods of active duty and Guard/Reserve service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, and a lumbar spine disability. The AOJ is required to obtain all relevant VA medical records, including SSA records, and provide the Veteran with necessary examinations to assess his conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's treatment and flare-ups, and to obtain an updated VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of a valid claim prior to February 2024.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, left ankle strain, and IBS have been granted.,However, the Veteran's claims for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right elbow tendinopathy and degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not caused by service.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD) due to a lack of consideration of potential aggravation during active service and an inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, tension headaches with migraine components, and lumbosacral strain and spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease, prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, lumbosacral spine, and left ankle disabilities have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities due to a lack of consideration of certain evidence, including his service treatment records. The VA is required to obtain these records and provide an addendum opinion on the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The case will be remanded for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD, cervical strain with related upper extremity radiculopathies, and lumbar strain have been granted effective July 18, 2019. The Veteran is also granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD since July 18, 2019.