Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment allowance is remanded due to unclear functional loss in his lower extremities resulting from service-connected disabilities. The Board finds a pre-decisional duty to assist error occurred by failing to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for higher ratings in several service-connected conditions. The issues are being remanded for further development, including additional examinations.

The Veteran's back disability is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The claims for increased ratings of left and right wrist conditions, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, left foot condition, right foot condition, and headache condition are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The Board also remands two issues related to right knee plica syndrome with limitation of extension and flexion, as there was a duty to assist error prior to the December 2024 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for spinal stenosis and lumbar radiculopathy, Hepatitis B, due to procedural errors in the initial decision. The Veteran's claims are not yet decided.

Service connection is granted for left and right hand tremors. Service connection is denied for a left wrist disability, jaw disability, left and right hand strain, right wrist disability, and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, and will provide proper notice as required under 38 U.S.C. § 5104.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including back condition, hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee condition, right knee condition, sleep disturbances, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further development regarding an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left foot degenerative arthritis and back lumbar DDD have been granted.,The Veteran's right knee disability claim is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of lumbar spine (L5) sacralization and lumbar spine degenerative joint/disc disease due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's back disability is granted a higher rating of 40 percent, effective from the date of the claim. The other issues are either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's back disability and left knee disability are being remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain condition is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted due to the presence of a current diagnosis and exposure to military noise during service.,Right foot metatarsalgia is denied as there is no indication that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,Left foot condition is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied as the earliest available effective date is August 2, 2023.,Claims for increased ratings and TDIU were also addressed but are not relevant to this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings due to inadequate examination in determining the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% effective July 30, 2021. Service connection for kyphotic posture of the lumbar spine as secondary to service-connected Parkinson's Disease is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including DJD of the lumbar spine, right shoulder, bilateral sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and peripheral neuropathy, combined, prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education, skills, training, and work history. Effective December 7, 2022, he is granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, squamous cell carcinoma, a back disability, and a neck disability due to a failure to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records since August 2023.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and vertigo due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision. The issues are being returned to the AOJ for further development.