The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the service connection claims for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities. The Veteran's degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar and cervical spine are found to be at least as likely as not related to in-service injuries, with the onset occurring after separation from service.
The deciding factor: The positive nexus opinion provided by Dr. M., combined with the documented in-service injuries and post-service treatment history, supports a finding that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease, cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 26, 2017
- Citation
- 1742358
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 1742358.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to failure to comply with previous directives regarding verification of his address and scheduling of VA examinations.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease from July 23, 2009 was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as his forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine exceeds 30 degrees.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease and/or lentigo malignant melanoma.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.