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Granted

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar back was reopened and denied due to lack of a current disability, no in-service injury or event, and no causal relationship between the condition and service.

The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s lumbar DDD was less likely than not incurred in or caused by the in-service injuries, as there was about a 21-year gap between service and the 2007 lumbar strain and the disability is attributed to intercurrent causes.

Claimed conditions
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar back
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
November 29, 2018
Citation
18154431

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 18154431.

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.

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