The Board found that the veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disorders are not related to service, but did find new and material evidence for his claim of recurrent back strain. The claim for cervical strain with degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease was denied as direct service connection is not established.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the veteran's current spinal conditions do not have a clear link to military service, but found that new medical evidence supports reopening his claim of recurrent back strain.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical strain with degenerative joint disease, degenerative disc disease, recurrent back strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 5, 2004
- Citation
- 0408699
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 0408699.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability since September 26, 2024.
- Dismissed
The appeal to reopen the previous denial of service connection for lumbosacral strain is dismissed as the benefit sought has been fully granted.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, and spinal stenosis based on the Veteran's in-service back injury and chronicity of symptoms.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence is at least equally balanced in favor of a relationship to an in-service motor vehicle accident.
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