The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for spondylolisthesis and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine due to new evidence. The Board also granted service connection for these conditions, finding that they are at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's military service.
The deciding factor: The May 2012 VA examiner found the current back condition less likely than not caused by or resulting from injury or illness during active military service. However, a private doctor provided positive medical opinions linking the in-service fall to the current back pain and aggravation of pre-existing conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 25, 2016
- Citation
- 1644514
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 1644514.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and the need for additional medical evidence. The Veteran's lower back disability, including lumbar strain and spondylolisthesis, is being reviewed again.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for various rating and service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a back condition, including spondylolisthesis, as the evidence did not show permanent aggravation of the preexisting condition during service.
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