The Board has denied compensation benefits for a lumbar spine disorder under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to the lack of evidence showing that the November 2011 VA iron infusion caused an additional disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current lumbar DJD is not causally related to the November 2011 VA iron infusion treatment, as her back pain pre-existed and resolved during the adverse reaction. The Board found no evidence of a new disability resulting from the VA care.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative joint disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19196214
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 19196214.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an increased rating of 40 percent for lumbar degenerative joint disease but remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected back disability was granted a 40 percent evaluation, but no higher, for the entire period on appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded six issues of service connection for various knee and hip conditions, as well as arthritis in the left foot. The reasons include insufficient evidence to determine if the pre-existing lumbar spine disorder was aggravated by service or if the left foot arthritis is related to a vehicle accident during service.
- Granted
Service connection is granted for lumbar DJD and DDD, right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to DJD and DDD. The Board also found that the Veteran's heart disorder, prostate disorder, and hearing loss claims are remanded.
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