The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's back condition, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee condition. Service connection for a back condition on secondary basis has been granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's back condition pre-dates the motor vehicle accident in 2009 and was diagnosed as early as November 2002, with degenerative changes of the lumbar spine noted. The VA examiner concurred with a private opinion stating it is not likely secondary to his service-connected right knee condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease, Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 26, 2016
- Citation
- 1629696
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 1629696.
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 PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance claims have been granted effective from November 23, 2019.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims for his lumbar and cervical spine conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and requires an additional VA examination for the Veteran's back disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence in support of the Veteran's previously denied service-connection claim for a back condition to include degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease. The case is being remanded for further review.
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