Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse due to conflicting information in the June 2025 examination. A VA examination is needed to determine if the spouse requires regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's bladder cancer, hypertension, Bowen's disease (skin condition), thyroid condition (hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism), back disability, left hip disability, osteopenia/osteoporosis, and right foot vascular disorder are all granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are also found to be secondary to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability with bilateral lower extremity sciatica, as well as service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right hips.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on their onset during service and persistence since then.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for rhinitis, dizziness, leg muscle pain, asthma, cervical strain as secondary to a low back condition, and left shoulder due to the appellant's withdrawal of these appeals.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular disability rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable (zero percent).,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or other criteria for increased ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is not manifested by moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran did not appeal the decision regarding entitlement to service connection for a lower back disability, and the matter is still pending.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of lumbar strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, and migraines due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. Rescheduled VA examinations will be conducted to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions and the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied due to the late filing of appeal requests, and the attempts are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee disability, back disability, and left elbow disability must be remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran provided lay reports of symptoms but the VA examiners did not consider these reports in their conclusions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, lumbar disc disease with herniation, right knee osteoarthritis, and a left knee condition (manifested by pain with functional loss that can affect earning capacity), all of which are found to be at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's in-service exposure to hazardous noise and service duties.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches due to withdrawal. The low back disability claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and denied his claim for service connection for a lower back disability. The Veteran's claim for migraine headaches was granted, but not before being remanded to consider an issue of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as untimely.,Service connection for PTSD has not been established.

The Board has determined that no new and relevant evidence was received since the April 2024 rating decision to reconsider the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper front teeth residuals from breakage, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain. As a result, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's back and right knee disabilities, as well as their associated radiculopathies, are granted service connection. A TDIU is also granted from August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's service connection claims for low back, cervical spine, and left shoulder disabilities have been granted. The Veteran also received increased ratings for his right hip impairment, limitation of flexion, and extension, as well as for the limitations in his left hips.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's pes planus is service connected. The claims for lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.