The Board found that the Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbar strain, was not incurred in service. The evidence did not show chronic symptoms within one year after separation from service or otherwise etiologically related to service. Service connection for a back disability is denied.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current back disabilities were incurred during his active duty service, including as due to spinal taps performed in conjunction with inguinal hernia repair. The Board found the opinions of the VA examiner and private chiropractor inadequate because there was no indication in the record that the Veteran underwent a 'spinal tap' in service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine, Lumbar Strain
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 18, 2018
- Citation
- 1823298
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 1823298.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus are all granted service connection.,Service connection for GERD is also granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD due to MST and low back pain are granted. The case is remanded for further examination.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU from October 12, 2016 to November 12, 2018 and from January 1, 2019 to July 22, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and degenerative arthritis of the spine due to a duty to assist error.
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