The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back conditions, including osteoarthritis and degenerative facet arthropathy with multilevel central and neural foraminal stenosis, DDD, and degenerative spondylosis secondary to DDD, were incurred during his active duty service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence supports the Veteran's account of chronic low back symptoms since military service, including credible statements from lay witnesses who observed him experiencing such symptoms. The clinical findings are consistent with a history of injury sustained in combat and subsequent degenerative changes over time.
- Claimed conditions
- Osteoarthritis, Degenerative facet arthropathy with multilevel central and neural foraminal stenosis, DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease), Degenerative spondylosis secondary to DDD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 7, 2012
- Citation
- 1241975
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 1241975.
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 Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, lumbar retrolisthesis, a vertebral fracture, and DDD (back disability), as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the back disability. The decision is based on evidence showing an in-service fall causing a back injury that led to current diagnoses.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for DDD and central canal stenosis of the lumbar spine, finding that the appellant's current disability is at least as likely caused by his in-service injury.
- Denied
The Veteran's right knee strain with osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence.
- Granted
The Veteran's thoracolumbar disorder, including arthritis, thoracic spine scoliosis with degenerative changes, DDD, and chronic low back pain, is granted service connection. Service connection for a cervical strain is denied.
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