Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease with arthritis of the lumbar spine and intervertebral disc syndrome is being remanded due to concerns about the adequacy of the VA examination conducted prior to April 21, 2023.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is not entitled to secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction, left hip osteoarthritis, or right hip osteoarthritis as these conditions are not caused by his service-connected disabilities. For lumbosacral strain, a new VA examination is required to discount the beneficial effects of pain medications and establish a baseline severity level.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension due to duty-to-assist errors, inadequate VA examinations, and PACT Act requirements.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected back condition, bilateral hallux valgus, and PTSD. The RO continued the initial ratings of 20 percent for chronic strain, lumbosacral spine; zero percent for bilateral hallux valgus; and 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a failure to obtain private treatment records and provide VA examinations prior to adjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection for his acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service.,The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis is granted as incurred in service and has continued since then.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylolysis with spondylolisthesis status post fusion was granted a 40 percent rating effective January 2, 2009. The appeal is denied for higher ratings based on extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeals for headaches, hearing loss, and back disorder were denied. Service connection was granted for hearing loss but not for the other conditions.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities, as well as his thoracolumbar spine disability, are granted. The claims for increased ratings of PFB and associated scarring are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for sickle cell anemia, skin disability, and hemorrhoids were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service treatment records show the Veteran had a lumbosacral muscle sprain in June 2000. However, post-service treatment records are silent for complaints or diagnoses related to his back condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition as new and relevant evidence was not received, and the evidence submitted did not prove or disprove the presence of a current low back disorder related to service.

Your appeal for service connection of a back condition has been withdrawn and is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal was granted as her substantive appeal (VA Form 9) filed in August 2020 was accepted due to good cause for the untimely filing, and thus her claims remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and his right ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable. The TDIU claim is granted effective from September 25, 2020.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety) and denied service connection for a back disorder. The decision is based on the evidence of record at the time of the September 2020 agency of original jurisdiction decision, which found direct service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disorders, radiculopathies of the upper and lower extremities, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, COPD, GERD, gastroparesis, diverticulosis, rhinitis, OSA, left ankle disorder, and left foot disorder have been granted. The claims are based on presumptive service connection due to exposure to noise during service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed back, left ankle, and bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with paravertebral muscle spasm and whether left lower extremity radiculopathy is related to service.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence was submitted for the Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, colon cancer, acquired psychiatric disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea. The AOJ must readjudicate these claims based on this new evidence.