Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to May 2, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA must provide adequate opinions addressing whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee, right hip, and/or right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine is granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent. The ratings for lumbar radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities remain at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that it is not a but-for cause of his claimed current condition and there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings for his lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is likely due to injuries sustained during active duty and inactive duty training.

The Board has granted service connection for low back pain and right thumb condition, but denied service connection for neck condition, right shoulder condition, right wrist condition, right knee condition, and right shin condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new one with proper consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his back injury and pain.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as secondary to the now service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that there have been failures to comply with previous remand directives and thus the cases are being returned for further development.

The Board has found that the VA did not substantially comply with previous remand directives and has ordered another remand to obtain a VA examination for back and knee disabilities, as well as updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and additional opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's lumbar degenerative joint disease with left sided L4-5 herniation status post discectomy with intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings and additional development is required.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including IBS with hiatal hernia and GERD, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, OSA, bronchitis, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, bilateral pes planus, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Board also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and an ulcer disability.

The Veteran's back disability is granted a rating of at least 40 percent from November 12, 2024. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbosacral strain disabilities due to insufficient opinions in the previous VA examination. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to determine if his current cervical and lumbar spine disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and a need for a retrospective medical opinion addressing the likely effect of limited functional ability during 'flare-ups'. The Veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for her service-connected lumbar spine disability between October 17, 2008 and November 21, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to November 5, 2022 is being remanded due to the VA not having obtained all relevant treatment records and the Veteran not providing authorization for these records.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss, thoracic spine disorder (low back disability), and left shoulder injury are all granted as service-connected. However, the Veteran's left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, alcohol use disorder, right and left knee osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his claim for TDIU.