The Board has granted service connection for low back disorder, diagnosed as spondylolisthesis, spondylosis, disc disease, and diffuse degenerative joint disease. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is also considered service-connected.,Service connection was denied for bilateral flat feet due to lack of aggravation during military service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back disorder and right lower extremity radiculopathy are found to be related to his active duty service, with the VA examiner finding that these conditions were likely caused by repetitive daily stress on his spine while in service. The private osteopathic physician provided a positive nexus opinion supporting this conclusion.,Service connection for bilateral flat feet was denied as there is no clear evidence of aggravation during military service.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disorder (spondylolisthesis, spondylosis, disc disease, diffuse degenerative joint disease), right lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral flat feet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19180386
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and granted initial 40 percent ratings for left upper extremity CTS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's award of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective from April 15, 2017, solely based on his unspecified anxiety disorder. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) housebound status, but dismissed the claims for initial ratings in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to untimely filing of the Board Appeal requests.
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