The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for postoperative residuals of a lumbar laminectomy, claimed as due to injury during INACDUTRA on June 12, 1980. The evidence submitted by the veteran is found to be both new and material, allowing the claim to proceed to its merits. The Board also finds that the claim is well grounded based on credible lay and medical evidence showing continuity of symptoms since the injury in 1980 and a nexus between the current disability and the service-connected injury.
The deciding factor: The veteran submitted new and material evidence, including medical records from his treatment for back pain shortly after the alleged injury. The Board found that this evidence was sufficient to reopen the claim and also determined that it was well grounded based on credible lay and medical evidence showing continuity of symptoms since the injury in 1980 and a nexus between the current disability and the service-connected injury.
- Claimed conditions
- postoperative residuals of a lumbar laminectomy
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 18, 2000
- Citation
- 0010231
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0010231.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for postoperative residuals of a lumbar laminectomy and remanded it for further development, including obtaining medical records and an examination to determine if his current back disorder is related to military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability does not warrant a higher evaluation, as his range of motion is not severe enough to meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5293. The current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the functional impairment due to pain and other symptoms.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted as his PTSD is now considered service-connected.
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