The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was reopened and granted. The Board found that the current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine is at least as likely as not incurred in active service.
The deciding factor: The evidence, including the private provider's opinion, supported the conclusion that the Veteran's current DDD was related to his service due to accumulated daily exertions and aging after separation from service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19181215
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal of the propriety of the reduction from 40 percent to 10 percent disabling, effective May 18, 2021, for service-connected degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, left shoulder, left wrist, and left ankle disabilities, as well as his gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with duodenitis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding VA treatment records, provide the Veteran with another opportunity to submit private medical evidence, and schedule appropriate examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine, finding that the evidence did not support an increase to this level.
- Granted
The Veteran's depression is found to be secondary to his service-connected DDD of the lumbosacral spine.,For GERD, an initial disability rating of 10 percent has been granted.
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