The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, is related to an in-service injury. The bilateral leg disorders, diagnosed as left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy and right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy, are proximately due to his back disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions has been granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding in-service injury and continuous symptoms since the accident were credible, and considered all evidence of record including VA examinations and opinions. The March 2018 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran’s back disorder is at least 50% likely related to military service.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- September 25, 2018
- Citation
- 18138459
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 18138459.
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 Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's rating for his right elbow condition from 10 percent to 20 percent effective May 5, 2025, finding that the evidence was in equipoise regarding whether there had been improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 13, 2020 for the service connection of low back disability and related radiculopathy issues. The Veteran's claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted in January 2020.
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