The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is etiologically related to her in-service motor vehicle accident. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the evidence demonstrates a causal relationship between her service-connected injury and her current condition.
The deciding factor: The August 2014 VA examiner found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed lumbar spine DDD and DJD was less likely than not incurred in or caused by an incident of her active duty service. However, the March 2015 private examiner concluded that it was as likely as not that her current lumbar spine issues were due to and a consequence of her military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2015
- Citation
- 1553398
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 1553398.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is being remanded due to a failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination in connection with her claim. The Board finds that this was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and requires rescheduling of the examination.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.
- Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of August 7, 2023 for the grant of service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease and Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (also claimed as a back condition), and bilateral lower extremity sciatic neuropathy.
- Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied increased evaluations. The TDIU claim was also denied prior to August 20, 2013.
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