Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of various service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation in any of these cases.

The Board has determined that there is a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion from an appropriately qualified examiner.

The Board has denied service connection for back, left ankle, right ankle, and left hip disabilities. The appeal for service connection of the right knee disability is pending.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was rated at 20 percent from February 1, 2024. The Board denied a higher evaluation as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine at 30 degrees or less; or any type of ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the case to obtain VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 30, 2018. The Board has granted a TDIU effective July 1, 2018.

The Veteran's DDD status post left sided L4-L5 microdiscectomy is granted an increased evaluation of 60 percent, effective March 16, 2021. The service connection for a neck condition is denied.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset during service and was not otherwise related to his in-service treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches and chronic lumbar strain with DDD.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus, chronic bronchitis, and lumbosacral strain as there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's bladder disability claim is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability or causal relationship to service.,Tinnitus has been granted as the Board finds that it first manifested during active service and is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for left hand tremors, right hand tremors, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, right shoulder scar, PTSD with TBI, and low back disorder have been granted effective February 12, 2021. Earlier effective dates are not warranted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right hand disability, back disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.,Service connection is denied for left hand disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, a right ankle disability, and bilateral foot disabilities (including plantar fasciitis) due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors concerning potentially relevant outstanding records from Dr. W (a podiatrist) and Dr. VD (an orthopedist).

The Veteran's acne (claimed as facial skin disorder) is not service-connected.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (claimed as lower back condition) is not service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for mild degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine (claimed as chronic back pain) is being remanded to determine if her MOS as an Ammunition Specialist caused her current condition.

The Veteran's back disability, left knee pain with arthritis status post total joint replacement, and right knee pain with arthritis are all found to have onset during service.,Service connection is granted for the acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as nervous condition).

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further review of the evidence, including a medical article submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that his disability does not meet the criteria for an increased rating based on functional loss or ankylosis.