The Veteran's claim for service connection for spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, claimed as lower back pain, was reopened. Service connection is granted for this condition based on direct evidence showing a current disability related to active duty service.
The deciding factor: The May 2009 Board decision conceded that the Veteran had degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, which is considered a current disability. The new evidence provided by the Veteran's private physician linked his inservice injury to his current condition, establishing a nexus between the two.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19176411
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's back disability, finding that the evidence did not support an increased rating even when considering flare-ups and functional limitations.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine as proximately due to changes in gait resulting from the Veteran's service connected left ankle and right knee disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a VA examination and additional evidence development to determine if there is a nexus between any lower back disability and the Veteran's active service.
- Denied
Service connection for sleep apnea was denied because the evidence did not show a relationship to service. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for spondylolysis was also denied.
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