The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including lumbar disc degeneration L5-S1, spondylolisthesis of L5 on S1, and mechanical low back strain, was incurred during active service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his military service. The Board resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar disc degeneration L5-S1, spondylolisthesis of L5 on S1, mechanical low back strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 20, 2011
- Citation
- 1115535
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 1115535.
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied. The claims for right knee disability and ratings in excess of the assigned percentages were remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for his lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis of L5 on S1 was granted with an initial 20 percent rating prior to June 29, 2021. From that date onwards, the Veteran's condition does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for an effective date of August 31, 1988 for service connection for lumbosacral strain and spondylolisthesis of L5 on S1 due to pre-existing conditions aggravated by service.
- Granted
The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected spondylolisthesis, which rendered him unemployable.
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