The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service connected due to an in-service strain and significant weight gain related to military sexual trauma. The initial rating for PTSD remains remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board found the Veteran’s current diagnoses of chronic lumbar sprain/strain, disc pathology with myelopathy, lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease with intermittent right sciatica and lordosis are related to in-service back strain and military sexual trauma. The PTSD issue is remanded as additional records are needed.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbar sprain/strain, disc pathology with myelopathy, lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, intermittent right sciatica, lordosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 15, 2018
- Citation
- 18126552
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 18126552.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the issues of service connection for lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, sciatic nerve, and rotator cuff tear, glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, left shoulder as they were already granted in a previous decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's back condition, including lordosis and Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), is being remanded for further examination to determine if the conditions are service-connected based on aggravation. The AOJ will review additional evidence since the May 2021 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a withdrawal of the appeal for readjudication of the previously denied claim of service connection for cocaine and cannabis abuse and major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder. The lumbar spine disability issue is now before the Board on its merits.
- Denied
The Veteran's service connection claims for lordosis, lumbar spine disability, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral foot disability have been denied. The Board found that the preexisting conditions were not aggravated by service.,There is no evidence of a chronic lumbar spine or bilateral foot disability during active service.
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