The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, is found to be related to her service due to repetitive use during active duty and Reserve service. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.
The deciding factor: Service records do not show chronic symptoms of a back disability in service but the Veteran's continuous complaints post-service separation are supported by her long-term exposure to similar duties as a dental technician, which is considered a risk factor for lumbar pathology.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Arthritis, Intervertebral Disc Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2016
- Citation
- 1641956
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 1641956.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of representation.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, tendinitis, and strain, status post arthroscopy with meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis (limitation of flexion), and awarded an initial compensable rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, tendinitis, and strain, status post arthroscopy with meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis (limitation of extension).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's back disorder is remanded for further examination and opinion to determine its etiology, including consideration of his in-service injury and treatment.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial evaluation for cervical spine disability remains at 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.
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