The Veteran's ankylosing spondylitis and related disabilities of the right ankle, bilateral hips, lumbar spine, and cervical spine were granted service connection as they were found to have been aggravated by his military service.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran's ankylosing spondylitis increased in severity during service due to activities associated with his military duties, beyond its natural progression.
- Claimed conditions
- Ankylosing Spondylitis, Right Ankle Disability, Bilateral Hip Disability, Lumbar Spine Disability, Cervical Spine Disability
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- February 18, 2009
- Citation
- 0905971
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities and denied higher ratings for several service-connected conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence supporting an in-service injury or continuity of symptomatology. The claim for a psychiatric disorder was also denied as the Veteran's statements were found not credible.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia, but denied service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, intestinal condition (chronic colitis), and chronic migraine disability.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability, both before and after November 8, 2024.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.