The Board has granted service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine with radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The positive evidence outweighs the negative evidence in this instance, including the Veteran's competent and credible testimony of in-service injury to his low back and a continuity of symptomatology and treatment for low back pain since service.
- Claimed conditions
- intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine, radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 22, 2016
- Citation
- 1644198
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 1644198.
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
Your initial rating for intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine has been set at 20 percent. You have withdrawn your appeal, so this decision stands as final.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disability, radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremities, and obstructive sleep apnea. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran on all issues.
- Partly granted
The veteran's appeal for attorney fees was granted for increased evaluations of lumbar degenerative disc disease and migraines, but denied for radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremities and DEA eligibility.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew their appeal for increased evaluations of several conditions, and the Board dismissed the case.
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