The Veteran's claim for service connection for spondylolysis, claimed as a low back condition is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an adjustment disorder with anxiety is remanded.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s mental health disability was at least as likely as not caused by his active service. However, the Veteran is not service connected for a back condition, so a separate opinion is needed to address the theory of direct service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylolysis, adjustment disorder with anxiety
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 30, 2020
- Citation
- A20019420
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 A20019420.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that side effects from prescribed medications contributed substantially and materially to his accidental motorcycle collision resulting in fatal injuries.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the record existing prior to the appealed decision, including inadequate VA examinations and failure to obtain a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) opinion for sleep apnea. The Veteran's representative raised concerns about the adequacy of previous opinions and the need for additional development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and will consider service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with anxiety.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's spondylolysis was granted a 40 percent rating from November 25, 2013 to October 26, 2023. The condition resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine being limited to 20 degrees during use over time.
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