The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of low back, right leg radiculopathy, upper back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, bilateral hip disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral foot disorder are at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury. As such, service connection is granted for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran sustained a fall from an open hatch on the USS Iowa during service, resulting in injuries including abrasions under his arms, right and left heels, right thigh, and right calf. The VA examinations found current diagnoses of lumbar spine DJD, right lower extremity radiculopathy, osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees and ankles, and degenerative arthritis of the bilateral hips and feet. These conditions are considered to be at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury.
- Claimed conditions
- low back (lumbar spine) disorder, right leg radiculopathy, upper back (thoracic or cervical spine) disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, bilateral hip disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral foot disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- January 26, 2018
- Citation
- 1805431
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 1805431.
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 Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a head injury, headache disorder, erectile dysfunction, left earache disorder, chronic fatigue, right shoulder disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, right foot disorder, GERD, and left shoulder disorder, as the evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, migraines, left and right knee disorders, and obstructive sleep apnea due to missing military records and inadequate examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders to obtain a new examination that adequately addresses all pertinent evidence of record.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.