The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar arthritis and degenerative disc disease, as well as his right leg radiculopathy, are related to his service-connected bilateral knee instability. The decision is in favor of granting service connection for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence is approximately evenly balanced regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar and right leg radiculopathy are secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee instability, with one medical opinion supporting this relationship and another opposing it. However, the Board found that the more extensive training of Dr. Brown in orthopedic diseases compels the conclusion that there is a causal relationship.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar arthritis, degenerative disc disease, right leg radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 4, 2014
- Citation
- 1434528
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 1434528.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, including degenerative disc disease and scoliosis, due to lack of current disability evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to the Veteran's lower back condition and surgical scars are inadequate, necessitating a remand for further evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding inadequate medical opinions due to failure to consider all relevant evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to predecisional duty-to-assist errors, including inadequate medical opinions and missed VA examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is being returned to the RO for further action.
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