The Board has granted service connection for low back disabilities, diagnosed as posttraumatic chronic lumbosacral sprain and strain with degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, and herniated nucleus pulposus. The issues of increased ratings for left knee disability prior to September 8, 2014, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, and chondromalacia of the right knee are remanded. The issue of TDIU is also remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's low back disabilities were incurred during active duty based on his service treatment records showing in-service treatment for low back pain and diagnoses of several low back disabilities during the appeal period, to include posttraumatic chronic lumbosacral sprain and strain with degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, and herniated nucleus pulposus.
- Claimed conditions
- posttraumatic chronic lumbosacral sprain and strain with degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, herniated nucleus pulposus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 24, 2022
- Citation
- 22017200
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 22017200.
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 has restored the Veteran's rating for his right elbow condition from 10 percent to 20 percent effective May 5, 2025, finding that the evidence was in equipoise regarding whether there had been improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 13, 2020 for the service connection of low back disability and related radiculopathy issues. The Veteran's claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted in January 2020.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service injury. The claimant did not contest this decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to predecisional duty-to-assist errors, including inadequate medical opinions and missed VA examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is being returned to the RO for further action.
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