The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise that these conditions are related to service. The Board also granted secondary service connection for right hip degenerative joint disease as a result of service-connected left knee and left distal tibia disabilities.,The Veteran's right hip disorder was found to be less likely than not caused by his service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities, but the evidence is at least in equipoise that it is related to his service.
The deciding factor: Both conditions are supported by medical opinions linking them to service or service-connected conditions.,The right hip disorder was found less likely due to the severity of the service-connected left knee and ankle disabilities, but the evidence supports a relationship with service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, Right hip degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 2, 2022
- Citation
- 22061468
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 22061468.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome, left and right ankle disabilities but remanded the claims for other joint conditions due to insufficient evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly assess the Veteran's hip disabilities, and thus remands the claims for further development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability with associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right hip disability is related to his in-service herbicide exposure, specifically Agent Orange.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.