The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The issue of an increased rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability is remanded.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition (the lower back disability) by another service-connected condition (the right ankle disability).
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint disease, right ankle status post subluxation and fibular fracture, degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 7, 2015
- Citation
- 1500537
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 1500537.
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 an earlier effective date prior to August 25, 2009 for TDIU due to lack of evidence showing a qualifying disability and inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and residuals of a contusion of the left shin, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar warts was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was granted for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, but the issue of TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the adequacy of previous examinations and opinions, as well as to obtain updated VA treatment records.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.