The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for lumbar spine arthritis and right lumbar radiculopathy, finding that new evidence received since previous denials supports these claims. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by VA treatment records and his own reports of continuous back symptoms in the years since service.
The deciding factor: The Board found credible the Veteran's reports of continuous back symptoms in service and post-service, supporting a conclusion that the current lumbar spine arthritis likely had its onset during service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine arthritis, right lumbar radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18129496
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 18129496.
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 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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for lumbar spine arthritis and right lower extremity sciatica have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted. Additionally, the Veteran's sleep apnea has also been granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.
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