Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica have been dismissed.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted from September 16, 2011.,The Veteran's SMC based on housebound criteria has been granted effective from March 13, 2024.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for recurring boils and polyps in the groin area, bilateral pes planus (flat feet), back disability, bilateral knee disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), hemorrhoids, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for service connection for tinnitus was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed as a matter of law due to a full grant of benefits. The appeals for left knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a low back disability, diagnosed as a lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left knee chondromalacia, and right knee chondromalacia, finding that the Veteran's conditions are etiologically related to injuries sustained in service from parachute jumps.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection as it is considered a direct result of his military service, with no evidence of pre-service conditions or other factors linking the condition to non-service events. The decision also grants readjudication due to new and relevant evidence submitted after the initial denial.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the previous VA examination, which did not discount the ameliorative effects of her pain medication. The case is also remanded for consideration of TDIU as part of the evaluation of her back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further review of his claims, including a rating adjustment and effective date determination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder. The AOJ is required to obtain new opinions addressing whether the Veteran's cervical spine disorder resulted from in-service injury or service-connected disability, and whether it was caused by or a result of his service-connected knee and/or thoracolumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of low back, right hip, and left leg disabilities due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.,An initial disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need to schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine if her current low back disability is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for these conditions.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for thoracolumbar spine scoliosis with intervertebral disc syndrome from 40 percent to 40 percent effective September 1, 2021. The reduction in rating was improper due to lack of improvement in functional ability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective October 23, 2024.

The Veteran's appeals for the proposed reduction of facial scars, an increased rating for tinnitus, and service connection for migraines have been dismissed due to untimely filings or lack of good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for myoclonus and a lower back disability due to the failure to obtain an adequate VA examination that addresses whether these conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and low back conditions due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran must be provided with VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition as secondary to his service-connected left foot condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right occipital intracerebral hemorrhage (stroke) and other disabilities have rendered him unable to work, qualifying for SMC at the 's' rate. The VA needs to provide a VA examination to address the need for aid and attendance or housebound benefits.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at a 40 percent effective from May 30, 2024. Prior to this date, the rating was 10 percent.