The Board denied service connection for lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities, finding that the current conditions are not related to service or service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's current lumbar and thoracic spine disorders are not related to his in-service injury and do not have a nexus with service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spondylolysis, mild degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, mild degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2018
- Citation
- 18154795
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 18154795.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings related to cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, mild degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity sciatica, and PTSD are being remanded due to incomplete development. Additional records need to be obtained, including VA treatment records from VistA Imaging and private chiropractic and physical therapy records. The Veteran's work history must also be updated.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylolysis is found to be the primary cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, and he is granted service connection for OSA as secondary to this condition. The effective date remains April 28, 2000.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spondylolysis and lumbosacral strain is granted. The Board found that the current disability is related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's lumbar disability was rated at 20 percent disabling, and the Board found that this rating is not in accordance with the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.
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