The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a low back injury and granted the claim, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted. The Veteran's in-service injury is considered to have contributed to his current disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran provided credible testimony regarding an in-service injury and subsequent continuous symptoms since service, which were supported by lay statements from fellow service members. A VA examiner opined the current back disability was likely related to the in-service injury, while a private doctor's opinion favored the Veteran's claim based on his history of treatment.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a low back injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 8, 2011
- Citation
- 1133174
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 1133174.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury is remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including SSA records and medical records from Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, Texas, and UVA Hospital System.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development, including failing to schedule and notify him of examinations. The issues are now pending again for further development.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the service connection claims for residuals of a low back injury and post-traumatic headaches due to the Veteran's death.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a low back injury and degenerative arthritis, but denied service connection for a cervical spine disability. The low back condition is presumed to have existed prior to service and was aggravated by an in-service pool injury.
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