Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis with status post lumbar decompression.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease is rated at 40 percent, effective April 20, 2026. Service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the service-connected lumbar disability is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, and his increased rating claim for lumbar spine disability is also granted to a 40 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in the initial rating decision and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and consideration of the appellant's theory that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which contributed to his death.

The Veteran's GERD and lumbar spine disability were denied initial ratings in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent. Service connection for IBS was granted based on the PACT Act, but not prior to its enactment.,An increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and lumbar spine strain with IVDS are rated at a 30 percent disability level. Effective February 17, 2026, the Veteran is granted a rating of 30 percent for his service-connected left knee mild chondromalacia, limitation of extension; right knee mild chondromalacia, limitation of extension; and lumbar spine strain with IVDS.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI residuals and depression, both secondary to Alzheimer's disease. The low back disability claim was denied, and the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss remains at a 30 percent rating.,Service connection is established for TBI residuals and depression due to their relationship with Alzheimer's disease.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not show ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and limited flexion to less than 30 degrees. The Veteran's claim was previously denied by the Board in December 2024.

The Veteran's PTSD alone does not render him unable to obtain and sustain substantially gainful employment, as his unemployment is primarily due to physical disabilities including bilateral knee conditions, sleep apnea, and neuropathy.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and earlier effective dates for tension headaches and lower back condition. The remaining issues of service connection for eye, neck, persistent cough, TBI residuals, and bilateral leg conditions are REMANDED.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition and lower extremity radiculopathy conditions were rated at 40 percent and 20 percent, respectively, effective May 24, 2022.,Prior to May 24, 2022, there is no evidence of an increase in severity for the Veteran's lumbar spine condition or lower extremity radiculopathy conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder is related to service or caused by his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the duty to assist, and will require a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing scoliosis and/or additional lumbar vertebra clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and whether any increase in severity during service was due to natural progression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service and concluding that his current disabilities are more likely related to an in-service injury than to his military service.

The appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disability is dismissed as untimely.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU has been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence, including treatment records from VA medical centers and community based outpatient clinics. The AOJ will now readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain was granted with an effective date of May 31, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee disability and back disability due to a lack of treatment records establishing chronicity, faulty review of the Veteran's record, and pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis and thus not warranting a higher rating.