The VA granted service connection for the veteran's low back disability as secondary to his right ankle disability and assigned a 10 percent initial evaluation.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established based on the relationship between the veteran's right ankle disability and his chronic lumbar strain, with the latter being rated at 10 percent under the criteria for evaluating lumbar strain.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the spine, right ankle disability
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 17, 2005
- Citation
- 0516525
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 0516525.
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 the Veteran's claims for left, right ankle disabilities, left and right hip disabilities, left and right shin splints, and left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate nexus opinions in the VA examination reports. The Veteran contends that her current disabilities are related to injuries sustained during basic training.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received, and a need for additional medical opinions considering the Veteran's military occupation as a water safety survival instructor.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for effective dates and initial ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.
- Dismissed
The appeal of depression, anxiety, and distress is dismissed as the Veteran's PTSD encompassing these symptoms was granted. The respiratory disability (asthma) claim is granted. Tinnitus and lumbar spine and ankle disabilities are also granted. Bilateral hearing loss remains denied.
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