The Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of spinal stenosis, status post lumbar decompression laminectomy with fusion due to VA surgery on June 22, 1995 was denied because there is no new and material evidence to reopen this claim. The Veteran's additional disabilities are not service-connected as they were a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the surgery.
The deciding factor: The medical opinion indicated that the additional disability resulting from the surgery was a reasonably foreseeable complication.
- Claimed conditions
- Spinal stenosis, Right foot drop at the ankle, Right foot condition, Lower right leg condition, Left foot drop at the ankle, Left foot condition, Lower left leg condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 27, 2012
- Citation
- 1207106
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1207106.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right foot condition, including pain and functional limitation, is related to service. The Veteran's right leg disability did not have an onset in service or manifest within a year of service, nor is it otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's left leg disability also did not have an onset in service or manifest within a year of service, nor is it otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's headache disability is granted as service-connected. The left foot condition and lung cancer claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right foot condition as there is no current or diagnosed disability, and the evidence does not support a finding that any such disability was incurred in service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for his lumbar spine condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to incomplete service records and a lack of relevant VA treatment records. The Board will seek additional opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
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