The Board has granted service connection for spinal stenosis, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome (previously denied as disc herniation at L5-S1 with mild canal stenosis), finding that these conditions began during active service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's back condition was incurred during his deployment in 2003/2004, supported by the Veteran’s own testimony and statements from fellow servicemembers who witnessed his back pain while deployed.
- Claimed conditions
- Spinal stenosis, Degenerative arthritis of the spine, Intervertebral disc syndrome (previously denied as disc herniation at L5-S1 with mild canal stenosis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 11, 2020
- Citation
- A20018397
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 A20018397.
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 has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 50 percent effective February 13, 2021. His left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 80 percent from April 21, 2013 to February 12, 2021. The Veteran's TDIU claim has an earlier effective date of April 21, 2013.
- Granted
The Veteran's back condition is granted an increased disability rating of 40 percent, but no higher. The claims for service connection for LLE and RLE radiculopathies are remanded.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities on a direct basis, finding that these conditions began during active service.
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