The Board finds that the veteran's current low back disability is related to his service, and grants service connection for a status post lumbar spine fracture and diskectomy. The right ankle disability remains at 20 percent as it does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of this level.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the veteran incurred a low back injury during service which resulted in a subsequent lumbar laminectomy, and his current symptoms are consistent with these findings.
- Claimed conditions
- status post lumbar spine fracture and diskectomy, degenerative disc disease (DDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 17, 2001
- Citation
- 0118644
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 0118644.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) was dismissed by the Veteran in written correspondence.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for right shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, and ankle disabilities based on their relationship to the Veteran's active service.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain and granted an effective date of November 5, 2007, but no earlier, for TDIU.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew the issue in January 2025.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.