The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back condition, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is granted. The Board affirms that his current disability is related to in-service injury and finds a continuity of symptomatology since service.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows a chronic condition in service (diagnosed with pain after an in-service fall) and a continuity of symptoms post-service, supporting the claim for direct service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19190951
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 19190951.
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 service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and chronic sinusitis. However, it granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's GERD was granted a 60 percent disability rating, and the June 15, 2020 VA Form 10182 for service connection claims was accepted as timely due to good cause shown.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to his service-connected right ankle and right hip disabilities. However, it denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered additional development to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected back disability, including retrospective opinions and clarification regarding medication effects. The case will be returned for further action.
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