The Board has granted service connection for ulcerative colitis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left knee strain, and right ankle strain. The conditions are considered secondary to other service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current back pain is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected ulcerative colitis, which is a risk factor for degenerative disc disease of the spine. For the left knee and right ankle conditions, the VA examiner noted consistent symptoms during military service and provided an opinion supporting their relationship to service.
- Claimed conditions
- ulcerative colitis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left knee strain, right ankle strain
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 25, 2017
- Citation
- 1729124
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 1729124.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a colon condition, including as caused by herbicide agent exposure or secondary to his service-connected disabilities, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection on any basis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.,Service connection is denied for tinnitus.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and service connection for ulcerative colitis are being remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant medical records.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to untimely filing of the appeal.
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