Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to service connection for a lower back condition has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew their appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease at L2-L3 and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded due to a need for additional medical opinion regarding the effects of medication on his disability levels.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted service connection, and her left-hand condition and right-hand disability are denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her left knee and lumbar spine disabilities have been remanded. The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, residuals of status post left knee surgeries, and a left knee surgical scar as they were not shown to be related to active military service.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted service connection with an effective date of February 20, 2014.,Service connection for degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, status post lumbar L5-S1 laminectomy/discectomy, was also granted with the same effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) other than intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, s/p cervical laminectomy. The decision is based on credible evidence that the disabilities had their onset in service.

The Board has found a duty to assist error occurred and remands the case for a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran needs regular aid and attendance and/or is permanently housebound due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a low back disability due to lack of timely filing. The reduction from 100% to 10% rating for small-cell lung cancer residuals was found proper based on evidence showing no local recurrence or metastasis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his back disability was granted with an effective date of April 30, 2024.

The Veteran's TDIU claim, including extraschedular consideration, is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The case should be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of whether a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is granted a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's right ankle strain and lumbar spine spondylosis were evaluated, but the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,VA denied both claims of increased evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain and thoracic strain with IVDS was denied. Prior to February 13, 2025, the rating remained at 10 percent; after that date, it was denied as greater than 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence in the record, specifically an Intent to File submitted on July 24, 2023. The AOJ must ensure this submission is associated with the file and take any necessary actions to fulfill VA's duty to assist.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective August 10, 2022. The appeal for a higher rating has been dismissed.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and PTSD) was granted with a noncompensable evaluation effective May 24, 2022. A subsequent decision increased the effective date to February 16, 2022. The appeal for an initial compensable rating remains pending.,The Veteran's low back strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective December 17, 2024. The appeal for a higher evaluation remains pending.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals because the appeal requests were not timely filed within one year of the rating decisions, and no good cause was provided.

The Board has found that the Veteran's lower lumbar pain, left eye retinal scarring and loss of vision, right ankle bone spurs, left ankle bone spurs, and left wrist surgery are not adequately addressed due to a lack of VA medical examinations. The Board is therefore remanding these issues for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, but denied service connection for anxiety disorder and right wrist injury.

The Board has ordered remand for the issues of entitlement to an increased rating for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease, service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a headache disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is not provided with proper notice regarding his right to a hearing under 38 C.F.R. §​3.103(b)(1) and (d)(1). Additionally, the VA back examination was inadequate as it did not address functional loss due to pain or ameliorative effects of medications.

The Board has restored service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis and posterior trunk scars, as these conditions were in effect for over 10 years when they were severed. The original grants of service connection were not based on fraud or due to a character of discharge issue.