The Board finds that service connection for a low back disorder, to include degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, is warranted based on credible lay evidence of an in-service injury followed by chronic pain since then.
The deciding factor: If the veteran was telling the truth about his in-service injury, it is as likely as not that his current back condition began during service. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran, the Board finds that service connection for a low back disorder is warranted.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disorder, degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 12, 2009
- Citation
- 0901215
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disorder to obtain additional medical evidence and ensure that the Veteran is afforded every possible consideration.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a low back disorder was dismissed as the RO granted service connection in a November 2023 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a low back disorder to obtain additional evidence and an adequate medical opinion in compliance with previous remand instructions.
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