Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran was found to be at least as likely as not unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability with associated neurological impairment of the bilateral lower extremities, which rendered him unable to perform work that would earn more than marginal income.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board denied DIC benefits for cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused significant occupational impairment, rendering him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 5, 2011. The Board grants a TDIU from that date onward.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is granted as service-connected. The Board also grants a TDIU prior to January 7, 2020.

The Board has determined that the appeal must be remanded due to incomplete development and inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being considered as potentially caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for major depressive disorder and lumbosacral strain was denied, with the psychiatric disorder receiving a maximum rating of 70% effective August 24, 2021.,A TDIU based on all service-connected disorders was granted effective January 16, 2018. The Veteran's claim for SMC remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, coronary artery disease, and associated surgical scar. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for chronic fatigue syndrome as it is not considered a qualifying chronic disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities due to a failure to obtain a medical nexus opinion, as required by the duty to assist.

The Board has remanded the claims for major depressive disorder, left knee strain, right knee strain, and low back condition due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and a left ankle disability have been dismissed due to an improper concurrent election of review options. The Veteran also had his claim for IBS denied.,Service connection for hearing loss was denied as the Veteran does not meet the VA requirements for hearing loss in either ear.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The claim will be reviewed again with a new opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a lack of notification adequacy. The Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits is being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and earlier effective dates due to inadequate VA examinations. The issues of entitlement to an earlier effective date for TDIU, DEA, and service connection are also inextricably intertwined.

The Board has found that the Veteran requires personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to physical limitations resulting from his musculoskeletal and radiculopathy conditions. The issue is remanded to determine if participation in the PCAFC program would be in the Veteran's best interest.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The right shoulder, lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities are all being reviewed further.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain disability was rated at 40% effective October 3, 2022. The Board found the increase in disability to be ascertainable on that date and denied an earlier effective date.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, left knee strain, and lumbosacral strain as these conditions were not shown in service or are not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates were denied.,The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date before March 14, 2022, for service connection of IVDS, MDD, left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia, patellar maltracking, and calf strain, or right knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia, patellar maltracking, and calf strain.