The Board has granted service connection for a mild disc bulge and posterior ligamentous hypertrophy at L4-L5 and a mild disc bulge at L5-S1, as well as right ankle arthralgia, both of which are considered to be related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the objective findings of limitation of back motion and disc bulging, documented shortly after service, cannot be dissociated from the back complaints in service. Similarly, the right ankle diagnosis shortly after service was sufficient to support a diagnosis of right ankle arthralgia with a history of inversion injury and torn ligament.
- Claimed conditions
- back disorder, right ankle disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 28, 2009
- Citation
- 0919873
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 0919873.
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, right hip, and right ankle disorders as secondary to his left knee disorder. The AOJ must obtain VA examinations and provide answers to questions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
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