The Board denied service connection for spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine as it was a congenital defect. The right ankle fracture is currently rated at 10%.
The deciding factor: The veteran's congenital spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine cannot be service-connected because it is a congenital defect, not from disease or injury.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine, fracture of the right ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 9, 2002
- Citation
- 0204300
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 0204300.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for a medical review and nexus opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The clinician is asked to provide an opinion based on at least 50 percent probability.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine has been withdrawn, and his claim is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and a need for an addendum opinion from a clinician with experience in vascular and pulmonary disease.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VA non-service-connected disability pension benefits as his income and net worth were not provided in a timely manner, and he was found to be permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.