The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine and left ankle strain with degenerative arthritis are granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The claims for increased ratings on both knees are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran’s current low back and left ankle disabilities were at least as likely as not related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, granting service connection in these cases.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, Left ankle strain with degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19184869
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine as secondary to service-connected impairment of the left knee with arthritis and impairment of the right knee with arthritis.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy impacting both lower extremities on a secondary basis to the back disability, and right knee degenerative arthritis.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating greater than 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and scoliosis of the thoracic spine.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability as further development is needed to obtain an adequate medical opinion.
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