The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether there is an etiological link between the Veteran’s current lumbosacral spine disability and active service. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
The deciding factor: The Board found the Veteran's lay statements and hearing testimony concerning his in-service duties as an AGE mechanic credible, and concluded that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether there is a link between the lumbosacral spine disability and active service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19181393
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 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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities, including bilateral wrist, ankle, foot, shoulder, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, lumbosacral spine, and carpal tunnel syndrome, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disability is dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, left lower extremity paresthesia, left upper extremity paresthesia, acquired psychiatric disorder, and headaches as they were not shown to be related to the Veteran's military service.
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