The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including a L1 compression fracture and lumbosacral spine degenerative disease, is related to his active service. The claim for service connection is granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports a finding of direct service connection as the Veteran reported an in-service parachute jump injury that led to a back sprain diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Post-service medical records also support the current disability being linked to this in-service event.
- Claimed conditions
- L1 compression fracture, lumbosacral spine degenerative disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 15, 2017
- Citation
- 1739643
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 1739643.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected lumbar spine disability has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal in a letter dated August 8, 2025.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and an earlier effective date for lumbosacral spine degenerative disease.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current low back conditions are related to his active service, including parachute jumps during service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for lumbosacral or cervical strain (low back condition or pain).
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine strain with degenerative changes and L1 compression fracture is granted a 20 percent disability rating prior to June 1, 2022. The appeal for higher ratings on this condition remains pending. Other conditions are either denied or have been granted.
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