The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disabilities, best characterized as lumbosacral strain and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, are aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
The deciding factor: The March 2015 VA examiner opined that the Veteran's current low back condition was likely caused by the fall he sustained in November 2005 and not related to his service-connected stable bilateral knee disability or his documented in-service low back complaints. The examiner also stated that the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected knee condition and the leg length discrepancy could not be established without resorting to mere speculation.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 1, 2015
- Citation
- 1528403
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 1528403.
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 Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of a lumbosacral strain, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service injury. The claimant did not contest this decision.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury during active duty and his continuous symptoms since then.
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