The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for lumbar spine disability due to new and material evidence. However, it is determined that there is no causal relationship between the current back disability and military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability was incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spondylolisthesis, lumbar intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbar disc herniation
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 8, 2021
- Citation
- 21073504
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 21073504.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 3, 2025. The rating was increased to 20 percent effective February 3, 2025.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar disc herniation with status-post discectomy L5-S1 is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service.,Service connection for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar DDD has also been denied due to lack of evidence supporting an increase in disability level.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether his current condition is related to an injury sustained during active duty.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.