The Veteran's service connection claim for a low back disability was denied. The rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with spondylolisthesis and intervertebral disc syndrome (cervical spine disability) prior to April 1, 2019, was also denied. However, the rating for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity was granted at a 30 percent level effective from April 1, 2019, and the rating for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity was granted at a 50 percent level effective from April 1, 2019.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back disability did not have its onset in service or within one year of separation from service. The VA examiner opined that there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between the current lumbosacral strain and arthritis and an in-service injury, event, or disease.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Disability, Cervical Spine Degenerative Arthritis with Spondylolisthesis and Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (cervical spine disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19170775
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 19170775.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Mays & Schnapp Pain Management and schedule the Veteran for additional medical examinations.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, including diagnosed degenerative arthritis with DDD other than intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis status post L3, L4, and L5 laminectomy. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury and his ongoing symptoms since then.
- Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability, low back condition, bilateral knee disabilities, and left shoulder strain have been granted service connection. The Veteran's low back condition has been increased to a 40 percent evaluation, while the bilateral knee conditions remain at their current 10 percent evaluations.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions as there is no persuasive evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence or aggravation.
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