The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of L5-S1, claimed as mid/low back disorder. The Veteran's current diagnosis is supported by his in-service treatment records and ongoing symptoms.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran’s low back disorder began during service and continued to the present day, considering the repeated trauma at L4/L5 area reflected in his current diagnosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of L5-S1, Mid/low back disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- May 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20034807
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 20034807.
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 PTSD, back injury, and bilateral knee disabilities (PFS). The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered direct findings of his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity) render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU effective June 14, 2010.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied, and the Board remanded it for further development. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.
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