Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions in prior VA evaluations. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is being evaluated for aggravation by his service-connected right ankle degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's psoriasis and low back disability are granted service connection, but his kidney disease is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are granted as service-connected. The remaining issues have been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and arthritis, have rendered him unable to engage in his previous job as an equipment operator. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates earlier than July 25, 2024, for various service-connected disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for IBS, service connection for migraine headaches, and service connection for a back disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating beyond the current 30 percent assigned for IBS, as there was no evidence of additional impairment not encompassed by the existing schedular criteria.

The Veteran's rating for lumbosacral spine strain has been restored to 40 percent, effective August 28, 2024. The remaining claims have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds additional development is needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder disability, hearing loss and tinnitus, lumbar fusion, migraine headaches, and sinusitis, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of gastroesophageal reflux disease, chronic sinusitis, and lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran withdrew all pending appeals, including those for increased ratings and service connection claims.

Your appeal has been dismissed because you submitted a Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (VA Form 10182) seeking to review the same issue that was already pending before the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial staged ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as an earlier effective date for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, has been dismissed due to his withdrawal.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the current condition was not incurred in or related to service and did not meet any presumptive criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for OSA as secondary to service-connected disabilities and obesity. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, GERD, low back disability, right knee disability, and right hip disabilities are being considered.

The Board has denied service connection for a back condition and an anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's VA examinations were not conducted due to transportation issues. The Board has determined that the AOJ failed to make reasonable attempts to reschedule the exams and thus remands for further action.

The Board has determined that the VA SMC A&A examination and medical opinions are inadequate for adjudicatory purposes. The Veteran's claim is being remanded to obtain a new VA SMC A&A examination and medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain and lumbosacral strain due to procedural errors in obtaining relevant service medical records and a fully adequate examination without considering the ameliorating effects of medication.