The Board has granted service connection for semi, anterior vertebral lumbar fusion of L3-L4 with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during active duty service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's back disabilities were likely caused by repetitive musculoskeletal stress from his service as a paratrooper, including multiple parachute jumps.
- Claimed conditions
- semi, anterior vertebral lumbar fusion of L3-L4, degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 15, 2021
- Citation
- 21022247
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 21022247.
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 Veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and schizoaffective disorder have been granted. The claim for shortness of breath (sarcoidosis) is remanded, as is the claim for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for brain disease due to trauma (traumatic brain injury), paralysis of the median nerve (right hand neuropathy), and paralysis of the median nerve (left hand neuropathy) have all been denied.,The Veteran was granted an initial 20 percent rating for her service-connected fibromyalgia, but her claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remains denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is reopened, and he is granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.,Service connection is also granted for persistent depressive disorder. The compensable disability rating for otitis externa with excess cerumen production is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination records. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's back disorder is related to service. The examiner needs to address if there was a superimposed injury during service and if his current conditions are related to military service.
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