The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting low back disability was aggravated by service, and thus service connection is granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's preexisting low back disability worsened during service due to multiple falls post-service, but also includes credible lay statements from the Veteran and his comrade indicating in-service symptoms and worsening of the condition. The Board finds this evidence in equipoise, granting service connection for the Veteran's low back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disability, degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 3, 2017
- Citation
- 1714508
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 1714508.
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 remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and will provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, including degenerative disc disease and scoliosis, due to lack of current disability evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to the Veteran's lower back condition and surgical scars are inadequate, necessitating a remand for further evaluation.
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