The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The claims for increased evaluations for his left knee and right knee disabilities, as well as TDIU prior to March 12, 2009, were also denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current back condition is most likely caused by multiple factors including normal age-related degenerative change in combination with post-service physical work, the 1996 motor vehicle accident and obesity. The examiner opined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is less likely proximately due to or permanently aggravated beyond normal progression by his service-connected bilateral knee disability.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 16, 2010
- Citation
- 1014663
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 1014663.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's hypertension, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The lumbar spine disability has also been granted but the effective date is not specified.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, lower extremity radiculopathies, and left lower extremity radiculopathy with foot drop. The issues include determining if these conditions are related to service or other factors.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 30, 2018. The Board has granted a TDIU effective July 1, 2018.
- Granted
The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of a current disability.,Left ear hearing loss is granted, with the condition being service-connected due to exposure during active duty and worsening over time.,Service connection for reflux esophagitis with hiatal hernia is granted based on symptoms that began in-service and continue post-service.,Service connection for stenosis of the cervical spine is granted as it was likely caused by service, including combat duties.,Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted due to continuity of symptomatology since service.,Chronic fatigue syndrome is granted based on symptoms that began in-service and continue post-service.
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