The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disk disease and spondylolisthesis with severe stenosis, had its onset during service. Therefore, service connection is granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s current back disability had its onset in service
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disk disease, spondylolisthesis with severe stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 5, 2018
- Citation
- 18132107
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 18132107.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain to include thoracolumbar and lumbosacral strain, cervical spine condition, spondylosis, degenerative disk disease, and radiculopathy (spine disabilities). The Board found that these conditions are related to the Veteran's injury during his active duty.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the service connection claim for mid-lower back pain and degenerative disk disease due to a need for an examination to determine the etiology of the disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for low back disability and left lower extremity sciatica were denied. The case was remanded for further review.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's back disability. A VA examination is needed to determine if his current back disabilities are caused by an injury during inactive duty for training in September 1978, and whether they are aggravated by his service-connected amputation of the right leg.
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