The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his military service and his current condition.
The deciding factor: There is no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability to his military service, particularly his injury during the second period of active duty in September 1983 when he played football. The MRI from July 2007 shows degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 associated with facet arthritis but does not establish a direct link to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease at L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 5, 2009
- Citation
- 0942153
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 0942153.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected low back and bilateral shoulder disabilities, as well as the extension of a temporary total disability rating due to convalescence following surgery on his lumbar spine, are being remanded due to failure to substantially comply with previous Board instructions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of recent VA examination for the Veteran's low back disability, which may affect its severity assessment.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and back arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of back arthritis started during service and have been continuous since then. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to chronic disease.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The case is being remanded for further development.
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