The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral radiculitis and spinal stenosis, finding that it is etiologically related to the Veteran's in-service back injury. The issues of service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding his in-service back injury were credible and consistent with his military occupational specialty, and supported by his wife's statement about him having back pain after service. The VA examiner concluded that the current condition was less likely related to service due to lack of evidence in the service treatment records.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the spine, Intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral radiculitis and spinal stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 3, 2021
- Citation
- 21072530
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 21072530.
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 granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and foraminal stenosis based on a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine to obtain a new medical opinion that considers an in-service injury after appropriate efforts are made to obtain the appellant's service treatment records.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral neuropathy below the hips, and a skin disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for further development and readjudication due to an incomplete medical nexus opinion.
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