The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorders, including Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Herniated Nucleus Pulposus, and Disc Herniation of the Lumbar Spine with Lower Extremity Sciatica, are attributable to his military service. The preexisting scoliosis and spina bifida occulta were not aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: The veteran's current low back disorders are considered to have been incurred during his military service based on in-service treatment records and the absence of clear and unmistakable evidence that they existed prior to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Herniated Nucleus Pulposus, Disc Herniation of the Lumbar Spine with Lower Extremity Sciatica
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 4, 2008
- Citation
- 0838053
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 0838053.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is being remanded due to a failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination in connection with her claim. The Board finds that this was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and requires rescheduling of the examination.
- Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of August 7, 2023 for the grant of service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease and Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (also claimed as a back condition), and bilateral lower extremity sciatic neuropathy.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied increased evaluations. The TDIU claim was also denied prior to August 20, 2013.
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