The Veteran's low back disability is found to be related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, and spinal stenosis are at least as likely as not related to an injury sustained during active service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Arthritis of Lumbar Spine, Intervertebral Disc Syndrome, Spinal Stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 19, 2017
- Citation
- 1740754
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 1740754.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, including diagnosed degenerative arthritis with DDD other than intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis status post L3, L4, and L5 laminectomy. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury and his ongoing symptoms since then.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of representation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found the reduction in rating for spinal stenosis, lumbar disc disease, and Schmorl's nodes from 20% to 10% was improper. The 20% rating is restored. However, the issues of increased ratings for left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and ankle conditions are remanded due to a duty to assist error.
- 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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