The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is granted. The claims of service connection for right knee, bilateral hips, and bilateral shoulders disorders are remanded.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the current thoracolumbar spine disability is related to service due to repetitive strain from flying military aircraft, including ejecting from an airborne jet via rocket propulsion.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine (back disability), Right knee disorder, Right hip disorder, Left hip disorder, Right shoulder disorder, Left shoulder disorder, Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 14, 2022
- Citation
- A22025414
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 A22025414.
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.
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The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC was denied as the Board found that he is already in receipt of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure. A second award of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance was not warranted.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's 100% rating for hemorrhagic stroke is granted effective March 19, 2021. OSA and periodic limb movement syndrome are denied service connection. Pituitary mass remains under review.
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