Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied, as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also denied due to lack of evidence supporting a higher rating based on audiometric results. Service connection for hypertension and bilateral foot fungus are granted with effective dates from May 19, 2020, to August 9, 2022, respectively. The Veteran's claims for service connection regarding left knee pain (status post arthroscopy), right knee pain (status post arthroscopy), low back disability (degenerative arthritis of the spine), left shoulder pain, and right shoulder pain are all granted with effective dates from August 10, 2022. The Veteran's claims for service connection regarding left leg shooting pain and radiculopathy secondary to low back disability and right leg shooting pain and radiculopathy secondary to low back disability remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral lower extremity disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence of record. A new VA examination is required for these claims.

The Veteran's low back disability and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been granted service connection.,Further examination or evidence is needed for the remaining issues.

The Veteran's shin splints, right leg and left leg are granted as they began during service.,The Veteran's lower back condition is granted as it was aggravated by his active service. His right knee and left knee conditions are also granted.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active duty service and there is no evidence of continuous symptoms since separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, along with other service-connected disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. Effective January 28, 2020, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on these conditions. Additionally, effective January 28, 2020, he is also granted SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU effective May 25, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining in-patient treatment records and medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow condition, right knee strain, and lumbosacral strain (claimed as back condition) due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, facial paralysis, a back disorder, and insomnia due to issues with the character of the Appellant's discharge from service. The Board found that a medical opinion is needed regarding the Appellant's mental state at the time of the misconduct leading to his bad conduct discharge.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his low back and right knee disabilities has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal seeking service connection for a back condition as secondary to left knee strain was dismissed due to the Veteran's representative withdrawing the appeal prior to hearing.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete Tri-Care records and the need to consider new evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to readjudicate his claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left hip disability, right hip disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. The issues of service connection for back disability are also remanded due to their inextricably intertwined nature with the other issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as low back pain and lumbar pain, is related to his military service. After considering all evidence, including service treatment records and private medical opinions, the Board finds in favor of the Veteran and grants service connection for his low back disability.

The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to obtain a current medical examination for the Veteran's lumbar strain. The claim is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of the severity of the condition, including any associated radiculopathy.

The appeal to reduce the disability rating for lumbar spine strain is dismissed as it was not a final decision by VA.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent from September 23, 2014 to October 15, 2019. The appeal for an earlier effective date was granted.