The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for nephrolithiasis was denied. The Board granted service connection for the low back disability, finding that it is more likely than not related to an in-service combat training accident.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no evidence of continued complaint or treatment for a back condition prior to 2012 and opined that the Veteran's current back condition was unlikely to have been caused by an isolated in-service fall. However, other medical opinions provided by private physicians supported the Veteran's claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- November 4, 2020
- Citation
- 20071103
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 20071103.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed as a matter of law due to a full grant of benefits. The appeals for left knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar disability and associated radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves are granted with effective dates from June 30, 2010. A 40% rating is assigned for the lumbar disability.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's kidney stones were granted a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum non-compensable rating available. The symptoms included intermittent dysuria and flank pain without evidence of infection or catheter drainage.
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