The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine did not have its onset during service, was not shown to be related to any injury or event in service, and is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected low back strain. The increased rating claim for low back strain was denied as there were no findings of unfavorable ankylosis or neurological manifestations. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran's service-connected disability did not render him unemployable.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran's current degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine is not related to his in-service back strain due to lack of evidence linking it to a service event or injury, and because there was no medical opinion linking it to service-connected low back strain.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 29, 2011
- Citation
- 1131740
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 1131740.
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.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for his lumbar spine disability from 40% to 40%, effective August 31, 2020. The reduction was improper due to lack of actual improvement in the Veteran's condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA examination and another, adequate, VA addendum opinion to properly rate his lumbar spine disability due to insufficient reasoning in the August 2024 VA medical opinion.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
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