The Board found that the appellant's back disability, including degenerative disc disease, arthritis, radiculopathy, and ankylosing spondylitis, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The congenital anomaly of the lumbosacral spine with asymmetric facet joints at L5-S1 with sclerosis was determined to be a defect rather than a disease, and thus not subject to service connection.
The deciding factor: The Board concluded that any chronic acquired low back disability did not originate in or is not related to service due to the congenital anomaly of the lumbosacral spine. The appellant's current back conditions were determined to be unrelated to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease, arthritis, radiculopathy, Grade II lumbar derangement, sacroiliitis, myofascial pain syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 30, 2000
- Citation
- 0031322
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0031322.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, including degenerative disc disease and scoliosis, due to lack of current disability evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to the Veteran's lower back condition and surgical scars are inadequate, necessitating a remand for further evaluation.
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