Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, hypertension, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted with effective dates of September 9, 2022. The Board found that the earlier effective dates requested by the Veteran were not warranted.

This decision grants effective dates no earlier than July 17, 2017 for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy (sciatic) of the right lower extremity, left hip strain (extension), a 10 percent rating for left hip strain with limitation of flexion, and right hip strain with impairment (extension).,An earlier effective date is granted based on the Veteran's Intent to File form submitted on July 17, 2017.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatica and radiculopathy due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The case will be reviewed with a new examination.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal of his claim for a higher initial rating for degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran seeks service connection for neck and low back disabilities, which he claims are related to injuries sustained during active duty. The VA has ordered additional examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for a low back disability, right shoulder disability, and hemorrhoids due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran.,Evidence since August 2005 includes private treatment records showing treatment for chronic back pain, rectal pain, and no complaints of right shoulder pain. This evidence tends to prove or disprove matters at issue in the claim.

The Veteran was eligible for beneficiary travel benefits to attend a VA medical appointment on March 16, 2021 due to his service-connected conditions. The Board found that the nearest available clinic provided the required care and that the Veteran's statements were credible and consistent with the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to service or secondary to his service-connected MDD. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for reopening his claim due to new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his low back, right knee, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The VA examinations were inadequate as they did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding flare-ups and functional loss/impairment.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 7, 2023 for the grant of service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease and Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (also claimed as a back condition), and bilateral lower extremity sciatic neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for a back condition due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, which was incurred during service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and compensation were dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, specifically whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him helpless or so nearly helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, thus SMC based on aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a back condition (claimed as nerve damage) has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.