The Veteran's current back disorder, specifically lumbar spine DDD, is related to an in-service assault injury. The Board finds that service connection for this condition is warranted.
The deciding factor: The private medical opinion provided a direct link between the Veteran's in-service assault and his current back disorder, which was supported by the Veteran's consistent complaints of pain since discharge.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbago, DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 27, 2016
- Citation
- 1616893
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 1616893.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, lumbar retrolisthesis, a vertebral fracture, and DDD (back disability), as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the back disability. The decision is based on evidence showing an in-service fall causing a back injury that led to current diagnoses.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for DDD and central canal stenosis of the lumbar spine, finding that the appellant's current disability is at least as likely caused by his in-service injury.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's thoracolumbar disorder, including arthritis, thoracic spine scoliosis with degenerative changes, DDD, and chronic low back pain, is granted service connection. Service connection for a cervical strain is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied due to a lack of current diagnoses.,The Veteran has withdrawn her claims for right pretibial edema, hyperlipidemia, hypokalemia, an acquired psychiatric disorder, difficulty swallowing, and left eye cornea scarring.
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