The Veteran's low back disabilities, diagnosed as a lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc disease, are granted based on aggravation of a pre-existing disability.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted due to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's pre-existing low back disability worsened during active duty and the evidence does not show that it was clearly and unmistakably due to its natural progression. The VA examiner’s opinion regarding aggravation of the pre-existing condition is rebutted by other evidence in the record.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Disabilities (Lumbosacral Strain with Degenerative Arthritis, Degenerative Disc Disease, and Intervertebral Disc Disease), Diabetes Mellitus, Type II
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20065985
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,316 · Granted: 43% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20065985.
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
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- Granted
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