The Board has granted service connection for traumatic arthritis and traumatic disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it was incurred in peacetime service. The Veteran's left leg, left foot, and right foot disabilities are being remanded to determine if they are secondary to the now-service-connected low back disability.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the traumatic changes to the lumbar spine (traumatic arthritis and disc disease due to trauma) were related to in-service trauma, including hard hits and strenuous physical activities during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic arthritis and traumatic disc disease of the lumbar spine, left leg disability, left foot disability, right foot disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 20, 2017
- Citation
- 1712853
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 1712853.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has expanded the scope of the claim to include any mental health disorder raised by the record and has remanded for additional development regarding service connection for left leg, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, but his service-connected persistent depressive disorder alone rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted SMC at the housebound rate.
- Granted
The Veteran's left foot disability and anxiety disorder render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical limitations and cognitive impairments, which require assistance from another person.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities, including neck, back, left foot, left knee, right knee, right foot, and right shoulder disabilities. The Board found insufficient evidence to support presumptive or secondary service connection.
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