Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma and a lumbar disability, with effective dates set at May 20, 2015. The decision also grants an earlier effective date of May 5, 1993 for these conditions.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability, effective from the date of the August 2013 VA examination. The decision also notes that all reasonable doubt is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted, warranting readjudication of the claim for service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's diagnosed low back disability is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a back condition is denied, and his claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left ankle disability was denied due to the absence of new and relevant evidence. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is remanded as there was a duty to assist error prior to the February 2021 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability as there was no in-service injury or disease related to his claimed condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for scars, status post bilateral mastectomy for gynecomastia was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and migraine including migraine variants. The issue of service connection for right ankle disability is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and its impact on his obesity, which in turn may have caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, neck disability, diabetes mellitus type II, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and gout due to insufficient medical opinions on their etiology.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 20 percent rating for her service-connected lumbar strain, effective October 1, 2020, as the reduction was improper due to lack of evidence showing actual improvement in her condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations of cervical stenosis with degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and a posterior neck scar as the Veteran's representative requested to withdraw all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's increased spinal evaluations and additional radiculopathy diagnoses were only factually ascertainable after the date of his original claim, leading to an effective date of February 25, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection for a back disability was not established, as there was no in-service incurrence or related to a service-connected condition. Ratings for right knee strain and right ankle strain were also denied due to insufficient evidence of compensable range of motion limitations.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder but denied service connection for a left foot disorder to include plantar fasciitis and toe numbness.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including failure to obtain opinions on direct service connection and aggravation of lumbar spine condition by service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims at a hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring a supplemental medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right or left shoulder disabilities aggravate his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable due to the lack of evidence showing a compensable level of disability.,There is no current diagnosis of urinary frequency, and the Veteran does not have any history or treatment for this condition. Therefore, service connection for urinary frequency is denied.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of erectile dysfunction, and there is no evidence linking his condition to service. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied.,VA examinations are required to determine if the Veteran's low back and neck conditions are related to his service, including any in-service incidents such as falls and carrying heavy objects.,VA examinations are needed to assess whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and IBS are related to his service, specifically his exposure to TERA during service.,VA examinations are required to determine if the Veteran's GERD is related to his service, including any in-service exposures such as TERA.,VA examinations are necessary to evaluate if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is linked to his service, considering his reported in-service exposure to TERA.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The decision is based on the Veteran's reports of pain during service and ongoing symptoms since then.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.