The Veteran's DDD of the thoracic spine, right hip bursitis and osteoarthritis, left hip condition, hernia residuals, and MDD and other specified anxiety disorder are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on continuity of symptomatology since service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's medical records show a history of back pain during service and continued symptoms post-service. The May 2014 examination report noted that the Veteran has had back and hip pains since service, which is considered functional impairment as per Saunders v. Wilkie (2018).
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the thoracic spine, Right hip bursitis and osteoarthritis, Left hip condition, Hernia residuals, Major depressive disorder (MDD) and other specified anxiety disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 24, 2022
- Citation
- 22010548
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 22010548.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee degenerative arthritis based on limitation of motion was denied. A separate 20 percent rating for a right knee meniscus tear is granted. The claims for service connection for left hip condition and right foot gout are dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and left hip conditions due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his right thigh condition, as well as service connection for hip conditions.
- Dismissed
The appeal concerning a higher evaluation for service-connected TBI has been withdrawn. The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, left hip condition, and right knee condition have all been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.
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