Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed as moot due to a March 2025 rating decision that granted service connection for other specified trauma and other stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder, effective May 2, 2024. The lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy claims are remanded.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received since the August 2020 rating decision, warranting readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine (also claimed as a neck condition), lumbosacral strain, left hip strain, right hip strain, and right knee strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inconsistencies in the January 2022 VA examination reports and a need for clarification regarding the Veteran's intent when filing his Notice of Disagreement. The AOJ is directed to schedule new examinations, obtain retrospective medical opinions, and clarify the severity of the Veteran's disabilities during the relevant period on appeal.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for his lumbar spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy prior to January 22, 2024 are denied. A separate rating of 10 percent is granted for right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy effective November 15, 2024.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need to obtain authorization to request private treatment records from his primary care physician and chiropractor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to dress, undress, bathe, groom himself, prepare meals, and transport himself without the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance since October 10, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete findings in the VA examinations and a need for further evidence regarding the extent of convalescence after lumbar surgery, severity of service-connected disabilities, and TDIU prior to February 4, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused significant mobility issues, leading the Board to find that he has lost the use of at least one foot. As a result, eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for recurrent depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder is dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his back disability from December 17, 2020, is granted to 40 percent.

The Veteran's lumbosacral and cervical strain disabilities are remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate VA examinations in February 2018 and April 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spondylosis and other conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea and irritable bowel syndrome, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding it resulted from an in-service injury.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable (zero percent) and his lumbar spine disability is rated as 10 percent. The Board denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current pain and symptoms had their onset during service.

The Veteran's LLE and RLE radiculopathy have been rated as 20 percent disabling since August 5, 2020. The Board denied entitlement to higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's current disorders of the right knee, left knee, right hip, low back, and right elbow are related to his active service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ankle or back disabilities. The claim for service connection is denied as there is no established disability at the time of filing or during its pendency.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for lumbar spine spondylosis was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.,Service connection for cervical spine disability, left foot disability (hallux valgus), GERD, headache disability, and hypertension were all denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating of lumbar spine spondylosis was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, cervical spine, and back disorders due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Additional VA medical opinions are needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for various conditions, including lumbosacral strain with scoliosis, degenerative joint disease, and degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, PTSD, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent.