The Board has granted service connection for lumbar muscle spasm and thoracic spondylosis, finding a medical nexus between active service and the Veteran's conditions. Service connection was also granted for gout of the right foot, but the claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was sufficient evidence to support a finding that the Veteran’s lumbar muscle spasm and thoracic spondylosis were incurred in service. The gout of the right foot claim requires additional medical examination to establish its relationship with any service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar muscle spasm, thoracic spondylosis, gout of the right foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 19, 2018
- Citation
- 18119907
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 18119907.
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 claim due to a failure to provide a VA examination and obtain an adequate medical opinion in connection with the service connection issue on appeal. The Veteran's records reflect current diagnoses of back disorders, including pain in the thoracic spine, chronic low back pain, degenerative disc disease, lumbar spondylosis, and thoracic spondylosis.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine disability was denied. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA were granted but with no earlier date than January 25, 2020.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with thoracic spondylosis and lower extremity radiculopathy were evaluated at a 10 percent rating, which is the lowest available under the applicable criteria. The claims for increased ratings are denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, chronic pain syndrome, sciatic radicular pain of both legs, traumatic brain injury (TBI), shin splints of both legs, thoracic spondylosis, right shoulder strain, right wrist strain, acne, and allergic rhinitis.
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.