The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease, L5-S1, with herniated nucleus pulposus, status post right L5-S1 discectomy, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service and no correlation between the current disability and an incident during service.
The deciding factor: The Board concluded that the veteran's 1983 back sprain did not result in a chronic disease and that there is no medical opinion linking his current degenerative disc disease to this incident.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease, L5-S1, herniated nucleus pulposus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 6, 2004
- Citation
- 0421682
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 0421682.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's need for the regular aid and attendance of another person was determined due to his service-connected disabilities, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance for accrued benefits purposes.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's request for additional VR&E equipment purchases and other services under a program of independent living services, including a riding lawnmower, power tools, attending school far from home, childcare, and a vehicle, was denied due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The Board has ordered further development to address these issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded all issues for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims involve various ratings for service-connected disabilities related to the lumbar spine, lower extremities, and knees.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral degenerative joint disease and herniated nucleus pulposus (lumbar spine disorder) was denied as the disability does not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent.
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