The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a head injury and degenerative joint disease of the spine, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's period of active service.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established based on continuity of symptomatology since service and medical evidence linking current disabilities to in-service injuries or events.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of a Head Injury, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Spine
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 17, 2011
- Citation
- 1142523
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1142523.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine condition was evaluated at a 10 percent rating prior to November 8, 2023 and upgraded to a 20 percent rating thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development and readjudication, including considering new evidence associated with the file since the April 2016 rating decision.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for MDD, migraines, residuals of a head injury, and scar were granted with effective dates starting from October 11, 2011. The Board denied earlier effective dates as there was no indication of an intent to file such claims prior to the filing date.,For migraines, residuals of a head injury, and scar, the Veteran's claims were filed on October 11, 2011, which is when service connection was granted. The Board found that earlier effective dates could not be assigned as there was no indication of an intent to file such claims prior to this date.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and a low back disability are being remanded due to the need to verify an in-service stressor. Additionally, his claim for higher ratings for his left knee disability is also being remanded for further development.
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