The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain and granted service connection based on direct evidence of a link between his current lumbar spine disorders and service. The Veteran sustained back injuries in service, including lifting heavy objects and falling off a trailer, which led to diagnosed conditions such as degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and spondylolisthesis.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided by Dr. M.S. established a positive relationship between the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorders and his service experiences, including lifting heavy objects and falling off a trailer in service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain, degenerative disc disease, degenerative scoliosis, degenerative spondylolisthesis, intervertebral disc syndrome, ankylosis spondylitis, arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 24, 2015
- Citation
- 1517661
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1517661.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- 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 claims of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to DIC due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion prior to the rating decision on appeal regarding whether the Veteran's arthritis was related to his period of active service, and if so, whether it contributed to his death.
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