The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a spine/back disability, finding that his Bertolotti's syndrome is a congenital defect and not related to service.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there was no evidence of chronic disability in or out of service, and found that the Veteran’s current low back condition is less likely than not caused by or aggravated by an in-service injury.
- Claimed conditions
- Bertolotti's syndrome
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 9, 2021
- Citation
- 21013404
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 21013404.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a low back disability and has also found that Bertolotti's syndrome is service-connected due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The decision does not specify a rating or effective date.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for Bertolotti's syndrome and shortening of the right leg, as well as a low back disability (lumbosacral transitional vertebrae with associated scoliosis and symptoms of back pain and sciatica), were reopened. The Board found that new evidence supported reopening these claims and established a link between the Veteran's current disabilities and active military service.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
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