Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for right hand disorder, back disorder, left leg disorder (other than left knee pain), and right leg disorder (other than right knee pain) due to the lack of evidence showing current disabilities during or proximate to the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was partially granted, with a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain effective from April 3, 2024. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD remains pending and is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and potential errors in the decision-making process. The Veteran is requested to provide all relevant service documentation related to his Naval Air Force Reserve duty.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the Veteran's low back disorder and lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claims for TDIU and SMC. The remand is necessary due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's back disability worsened on March 18, 2024, resulting in a 20 percent disability rating effective that date.

The Board denied requests for earlier effective dates for service connection awards of lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome, muscle spasm, and atrophy; right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve; and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's initial rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the appeal period.

The appeal concerning the lower back condition is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's goiter, back condition, and gallstones need further evaluation due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The VA is required to provide a new examination for each issue.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating greater than 20 percent prior to April 1, 2025. The primary issue was whether the Veteran met the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other functional impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and left plantar fibroma, as well as her lumbosacral strain and right shoulder strain, are all found to have their onset during service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and medical opinions provided for the thoracolumbar spine scoliosis issue were not fully adequate, particularly regarding whether the appellant's preexisting condition is classified as a defect or disease. The Board also noted that there was no entrance or enlistment examination in 2009 or 2010, so only the equipoise standard applies to establish her scoliosis preexisted service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities, including low back disability and PTSD, do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's low back disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA guidelines. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his back disability prior to August 3, 2022, and from that date forward was denied as the evidence did not show flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses did not begin during service or are related to any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 16, 2021, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantial gainful employment during those periods.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of relevant records and for additional VA addendum medical opinions. The Veteran's conditions are related to incidents during his military service, but specific details about these incidents are unclear.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbosacral strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from April 13, 2018.