The Board has granted a full grant of the benefit sought as to the low back claim, finding that the veteran's chronic low back strain and degenerative arthritis are related to his service-connected left ankle disorder. The increased rating for residuals of a fracture of the left lateral malleolus remains at issue.
The deciding factor: The Board found in favor of the veteran on the secondary service connection claim for chronic low back strain and degenerative arthritis, granting it based on the evidence showing that these conditions are related to his service-connected left ankle disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- fracture of the left lateral malleolus, degenerative arthritis of the low back
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 22, 2004
- Citation
- 0416280
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,514 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0416280.
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 has remanded both claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the low back and a left knee disorder, as they are inextricably intertwined with each other.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between service and hearing loss and tinnitus.
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