The Veteran's preexisting back condition was worsened during service, and the Board has granted service connection for a subjective back condition, chronic low back strain, and anterior wedging of second and third lumbar vertebral bodies.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there is equipoise evidence regarding whether the worsening of the pre-existing back condition was beyond its natural progression, thus resolving in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- subjective back condition, chronic low back strain, anterior wedging of second and third lumbar vertebral bodies
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20030633
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 20030633.
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: Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for effective dates prior to September 27, 2024, for the awards of service connection for various knee and back conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from April 29, 2018.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for a lower back disability and remanded claims for a higher rating, TDIU, and extraschedular consideration.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating and earlier effective date of service connection for his back disability was partially granted, with a 40 percent disability rating assigned from May 10, 2010. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied.
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