Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for service connection claims was dismissed due to the untimeliness of the VA Form 10182 filed in May 2021, which did not meet the one-year filing period after receiving notice of the April 2018 and September 2018 decisions.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for a new VA examination to address his ability to work due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not provide an adequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back strain. The case is being remanded to obtain a new VA medical opinion addressing this issue.

The appeal of the March 2021 rating decision that deferred adjudicating an increased rating for a service-connected low back disability is dismissed. The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as his major depressive disorder, were rated accordingly.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability had its onset in service and is related to his active duty, granting service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was granted with an effective date of June 1, 2020. The decision is based on the reopening of his previously denied claim and the provision of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, and back, right knee, and sinusitis conditions. Service connection was denied for bronchitis, hernia, loss of vision, and chest acne.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records from his period of active duty with the Navy Reserves. The RO is instructed to obtain these records and provide a formal finding of unavailability if they cannot be obtained.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining service records and providing an adequate examination. The Veteran's back disorder claim will be reconsidered with these issues addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right hip disability, lumbosacral strain with arthritis, and cervical strain with degenerative joint disease is REMANDED.,PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 60 percent disabling, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis and no evidence of bowel or bladder involvement.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's currently diagnosed tinnitus is etiologically related to his military noise exposure. Service connection was denied for low back disability due to lack of evidence linking it to active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and entitlement to an initial compensable rating for surgical scars right first toe due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran will need to undergo additional examinations to address her current disability picture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea, thoracolumbar spine disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability has been granted. The rating assigned is 10 percent for chronic allergic rhinitis effective October 9, 2023.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea, thoracolumbar spine disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability has been granted. The rating assigned is 10 percent for chronic allergic rhinitis effective October 9, 2023.

The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease and residual scar status post appendix removal were not found to meet criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran was granted service connection for headaches, but the other issues remained denied or not met.,Service connection was denied for left hand disability, skin cancer, heart disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left hip disability, low back disability, and sleep disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The appellant's lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD qualifies for a TDIU and SMC, while other conditions are rated appropriately. The appeal is denied for higher ratings in several cases.