The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, degenerative disc disease, and stenosis are granted. Claims for diverticulitis, diabetes mellitus, flat feet (pes planus), traumatic brain injury, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep apnea, hypertension, a right-hand condition, a left-hand condition, TBI residuals of headaches, loss of taste and smell, and dizziness are denied. The Veteran is granted a 10 percent disability rating for TMJ prior to November 18, 2020.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner provided medical opinions supporting the Veteran's claim that his back condition was caused by an in-service motor vehicle accident (MVA) and not related to service. The claims for diabetes mellitus, flat feet, and other conditions are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a relationship to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, Degenerative disc disease, Stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 2, 2022
- Citation
- 22043863
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 22043863.
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 low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the claim for a higher rating is denied. The left shoulder disability is also rated at 20 percent, but there are no incapacitating episodes to warrant a higher rating under the IVDS Formula. The TDIU claim is remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine was granted with effective dates of May 13, 2019.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was diagnosed during service and has continued since then. The Board granted service connection for this condition based on continuity of symptomatology.
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