The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's in-service shell fragment wound (SFW) of the left thigh is found to have caused or aggravated his current lumbar spondylosis and degenerative changes, warranting service connection. However, there is no causal relationship between the SFW and the Veteran's diagnosed left hip osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
The deciding factor: The VA medical opinion established a clear link between the in-service shell fragment wound of the left thigh and the current lumbar spondylosis and degenerative changes, but not with the left hip disability.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disability, left hip osteoarthritis and osteoporosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- March 20, 2014
- Citation
- 1411600
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 1411600.
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 found that remand is needed for the Veteran's claims due to duty to assist errors, including clarification of periods of service and obtaining relevant records. The Veteran will be afforded new medical examinations for each claimed disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of right shoulder disability and low back disability due to insufficient evidence.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability was granted with an effective date of January 9, 2018. The Board accepted her November 21, 2019 VA Form 20-0996 as a valid opt-in of the April 2019 SOC into the modernized review system.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal concerning diabetes and a low back disability has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.
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