The Veteran's claims for service connection for shrapnel wounds of the upper back and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were reopened, with the former being granted and the latter denied.,Service connection was established for residuals of shrapnel wounds in the upper back. The Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is not considered to be service-connected.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish a clear and unmistakable increase in severity of the Veteran's low back disability during service, thus precluding aggravation by service.,There was no credible link between Agent Orange exposure and hypertension. The current data does not support an association between herbicide agent exposure and hypertension.
- Claimed conditions
- shrapnel wounds of the upper back, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, hypertensive vascular disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 7, 2018
- Citation
- 1828301
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 1828301.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating, compensable rating, and extension of temporary total evaluation for his lumbar spine disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing all claims in April 2022.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury during active duty and his continuous symptoms since then.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective October 23, 2024.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted as service connection due to continuity and chronicity since it began in service.
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