The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, secondary to his service-connected instability, right knee. The evidence submitted since the last denial shows that the veteran may have a lumbar spine disorder related to his service-connected right knee disorder.
The deciding factor: The September 2002 VA examiner's opinion concluded that the veteran's lumbar spine disorder was not related to his service-connected right knee disorder, based on the ageing process and lack of evidence linking it to the knee condition.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 20, 2004
- Citation
- 0419541
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 0419541.
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 decided that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, thus remanding the case.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability to obtain additional medical evidence regarding the severity of his condition without the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of March 23, 2011, for the grant of a separate 10 percent rating for left knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis, limitation of flexion and from March 23, 2011, for a 10 percent rating for right knee joint osteoarthritis, instability or subluxation. The Board denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for the left and right knees and cervical spine, and granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine based on a positive nexus between the Veteran's back disabilities and his military service.
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