The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine and arthritis of the sacroiliac joints, finding that the Veteran's current back disability is related to his active service. The appeal regarding higher initial ratings for right hip DJD and left hip DJD remains pending.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established based on chronic symptoms of a back disorder (DDD of the lumbar spine) and arthritis of the sacroiliac joints since service separation, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).
- Claimed conditions
- DDD of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 9, 2016
- Citation
- 1618530
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 1618530.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine and remanded issues related to a left hip condition, colon cancer status post colon resection, and right foot and right hip conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a thoracolumbar spine disorder. The Veteran will undergo a new VA examination to determine the nature and cause of his condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate VA examinations, lack of ankylosis assessment, and need for additional medical records.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain, DDD of the lumbar spine, right knee strain, and a left knee condition. The conditions are found to have started during service.
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