Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, leading to its dismissal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, GERD, and lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence.,New evidence has been submitted that may support the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar disc bulge is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that it does not warrant an increased rating in excess of this amount.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was received since the September 2018 rating decision. The claims are being remanded to allow for further consideration.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PVD, denied service connection for GERD, right knee disability, and lower back disability, and dismissed the claim of service connection for tinnitus due to lack of appealable final decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine, right lower leg sciatic radicular pain, right ankle, right hip, and bilateral knee conditions. The claims were denied for right ear hearing loss due to lack of a diagnosis for VA purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection.,No specific rating was assigned, and the Veteran's conditions are currently rated at various levels.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent effective from March 17, 2011.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to readjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection of low back condition. However, due to a duty to assist error, an examination is required to determine if her current low back condition is related to active-duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain was granted with an effective date of November 2, 1989. The Board found that the earliest pending and unadjudicated claim occurred on this date.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of lumbosacral strain and left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for service connection due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including for conditions such as cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, irritable bowel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, sinus condition, psoriatic arthritis, anemia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and thoracic spine disorders, as these conditions are claimed to be secondary to her service-connected right knee strain and/or left knee strain. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions to determine the etiology of the Veteran's spine disorders.

The Board has granted a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and right knee disabilities, each at 40 percent disabling effective February 5, 2024. The appeal is granted as the Appellant is eligible to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the June 2024 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a chronic lower back condition as there is no competent evidence showing a current disability related to an in-service event.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence and concluding that the Veteran's back condition did not manifest during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar disability due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to a duty to assist error and the need for additional medical opinions.