The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and traumatic arthritis of the hips are also found to be related to his service-connected back disability. Traumatic arthritis of the knees is also found to be related to his service-connected back disability.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided by Dr. Ellis established a link between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his service-connected back disability, supporting the grant of service connection for these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 14, 2015
- Citation
- 1552218
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 1552218.
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.
- 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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.
- 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.
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