The Board has granted service connection for spinal stenosis, disc protrusions, spondylosis, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hand disability (CTS and arthritis of the hands), and bilateral ankle and foot disorders. The conditions are found to have their onset during service.
The deciding factor: The opinion from Dr. C., an orthopedic surgeon at a VA Medical Center, concluded that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorders, lower extremity radiculopathy, hand conditions, ankle disorders, and feet disorders had their onset during service.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylosis, spinal stenosis, disc protrusions, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hand disability (CTS and arthritis of the hands), bilateral ankle disorder (manifested by pain), bilateral foot disorder (manifested by pain)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19174155
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 19174155.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found the eligibility determination for PCAFC enrollment to be legally inadequate and remanded for a new medical opinion that adequately addresses the criteria for eligibility as set forth in VA regulations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding inadequate medical opinions due to failure to consider all relevant evidence.
- Granted
For the period prior to October 29, 2021, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on housebound status is denied.,For the entire appeal period, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) based on need of regular aid and attendance is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted an effective date of December 10, 2015 for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The decision also grants earlier effective dates for these benefits.
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