The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim.
The deciding factor: The September 2015 private medical opinion found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including a fall from a ladder during active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, chronic low back pain, lumbosacral paraspinal muscular hypertonicity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 2, 2015
- Citation
- 1546245
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 1546245.
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 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.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic low back pain was incurred in service and continues to this day, granting her claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete service treatment records and a need to address lay statements regarding in-service injuries. The AOJ is instructed to obtain complete service treatment records, correct any duty-to-assist errors, and provide an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine and right knee disabilities are related to heavy, repetitive lifting from his military duties.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for IBS, lumbar spine disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy due to a procedural error in providing notice of his right to a hearing.
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