The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are due to injuries sustained during his period of active service. The cervical spine disorder is not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examination findings, along with the continuity of symptoms since service, supported the Veteran's claims for right ankle and back disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ankle Degenerative Joint Disease, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Degenerative Changes of the Cervical Spine (Neck)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2010
- Citation
- 1047842
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 1047842.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, including SSA disability records and Federal prison medical records, and request an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as his lumbar spine disorder. The Board found the evidence in balance regarding whether these conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and the Board finds that his back disability may be related to service. The case is remanded for a VA examination.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder, including degenerative joint disease and tendonitis. The appeal was also denied for increased ratings for right lower extremity shin splints with painful motion of the right knee and left lower extremity shin splints.
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