The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is well grounded. The claim for service connection for an upper back and neck pain is not well grounded. Initial compensable evaluations of 10 percent are granted for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee and right knee, respectively.
The deciding factor: The veteran's complaints in service included diagnoses such as degenerative disc disease and lumbar strain, which may be related to congenitally short pedicles. The VA examination did not include an MRI or x-rays that could have provided more definitive information on the etiology of these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disorder, Upper back and neck pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 9, 2000
- Citation
- 0012235
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 0012235.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a low back disorder to correct duty to assist errors, as the previous VA examinations and opinions are inadequate.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, neck disorder, and radiculopathy of both upper and lower extremities to correct duty-to-assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of a disability rating for a low back disorder and entitlement to TDIU due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a low back disorder, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity on a secondary basis, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity on a secondary basis.
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