The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that it is etiologically related to his active duty service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was at least in relative equipoise and after resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, service connection for a low back disability is warranted.
- Claimed conditions
- ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 27, 2020
- Citation
- 20049750
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20049750.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The veteran's ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 40 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's ankylosing spondylitis of the cervical spine is rated at 40 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's ankylosing spondylitis of the thoracic spine is rated at 20 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's ankylosing spondylitis of temporomandibular joints is rated at 30 percent, which is already the maximum schedular rating available.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Whole decision: Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
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