Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the lack of an appealable AOJ decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's increased ratings for cervical strain with IVDS and lumbosacral and thoracic strain, as well as service connection for LUE, LLE, and RLE radiculopathy were granted effective May 8, 2023.,Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits were also awarded based on the Veteran's combined 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and lumbosacral strain are granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 30, 2021. The effective date was not granted as there was no factually ascertainable increase in his service-connected disabilities within one year of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disabilities are now rated at their highest possible levels, with a 100 percent rating for unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine effective November 15, 2021. The ratings for prior periods remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of prostate cancer was dismissed. His bilateral hearing loss disability and IVDS to include degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine were granted with a rating of 40 percent prior to February 11, 2019.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of back, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.

The Veteran's service connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right upper and lower extremities, and radiculopathy of the left upper and lower extremities are all remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and a neck disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in balance as to whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he did not require regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability but granted service connection for an esophageal disability (GERD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected insomnia disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent for the period prior to October 2, 2024 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. The ratings for shin splints (right and left lower legs) are remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, is causally related to his active service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since January 2008, leading to a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis effective March 26, 2010. The effective date for DEA benefits was also granted as of March 26, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is granted with a rating of 40 percent, effective June 2, 2010. The right lower extremity neurological disability was not appealed and remains at the original assigned rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for the lumbar spine disability and bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been denied due to his failure to report for VA examinations scheduled in conjunction with these claims.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU has also been denied as it is considered part of the original claims for increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disorder are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.