The Board has granted service connection for spina bifida occulta at S1, but denied service connection for degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, herniated disc at L5-S1, and minimal facet arthropathy as they are not shown to be related to ACUTRA.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran's spina bifida occulta at S1 was aggravated by ACUTRA. However, there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing aggravation for degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, herniated disc at L5-S1, and minimal facet arthropathy.
- Claimed conditions
- spina bifida occulta at S1, degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, herniated disc at L5-S1, minimal facet arthropathy
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 10, 2003
- Citation
- 0304313
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,467 · Granted: 18% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0304313.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a back condition to be addressed with a new, adequate medical opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim for a back condition, including arthritis of the lumbar spine, due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, a right shoulder disorder, and a higher disability rating for right wrist strain due to incomplete notification regarding scheduled VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims due to notification issues and a need for VA compensation examinations.
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