The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy is etiologically related to his in-service injury, and grants service connection for this condition.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner provided multiple opinions supporting a link between the Veteran's current back disability and his in-service injury, including the explosion that occurred when he was buried beneath rubble during combat. The examiner noted degenerative changes consistent with aging but also indicated that these could be related to the service-connected shrapnel injuries.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- October 6, 2009
- Citation
- 0937979
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 0937979.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as service-connected. TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 30, 2015 is also granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability and any associated neurological symptoms.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records, arrange for the Veteran to undergo a VA spine examination, and ensure all due process requirements are met.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and did not reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension.
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