The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine was reopened and granted, with a remand to obtain an adequate etiological opinion.
The deciding factor: An inadequate VA examination did not establish whether the DJD of the lumbosacral spine was aggravated by service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 30, 2019
- Citation
- 19133571
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.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine prior to October 29, 2021, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 25, 2017.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee disabilities but granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and lower back disability due to inadequate examinations and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently being reviewed.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral DJD is rated at 20 percent for the entire period on appeal, considering his symptoms and limitations during flare-ups.
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