The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including disc herniation and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, is granted. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial in March 2009.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there has been continuity of symptoms since service, as evidenced by the Veteran's consistent reports of back pain and medical records showing treatment for back issues throughout his post-service history.
- Claimed conditions
- disc herniation, low back pain with disc herniation, IVDS and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19191385
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 19191385.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, to include right facet arthropathy at L5-S1, degenerative disc disease, and disc herniation. The case is remanded for further review on the merits.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain and disc herniation, as well as his cervical strain and disc herniation. The claims were reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial in October 2009.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 5, 2011 and from March 5, 2011 onwards.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a lumbar spine disorder due to the need for additional medical opinions and records, including those from his service period.
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