The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine were not incurred or aggravated by military service, as there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition was pre-existing and not aggravated during service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.
The deciding factor: There is clear and unmistakable evidence that the veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine were pre-existing and not aggravated by military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 2, 2007
- Citation
- 0709524
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 0709524.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 40 percent for major depressive disorder is denied. The claim for TDIU is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine and spondylolisthesis due to a spinal fusion postoperative with scar are rated at 40 percent from May 4, 2009, to present (exclusive of the period of a total disability rating from November 16, 2009, to December 31, 2009).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded for additional examination and rating considerations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of additional evidence and the need for a new VA examination.
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