The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral hip degenerative joint disease, right knee disability, left knee chondromalacia with meniscal tear and Baker's cyst, bilateral ankle disabilities, right shoulder osteoarthritis, left shoulder tendinopathy, right elbow disability, and left elbow lateral epicondylitis.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's conditions were related to active duty service, thus resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), bilateral hip degenerative joint disease (DJD), right knee disability manifested by pain, left knee chondromalacia with meniscal tear and Baker's cyst, bilateral ankle disabilities manifested by pain, right shoulder osteoarthritis, left shoulder tendinopathy, right elbow disability manifested by pain, left elbow lateral epicondylitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 1, 2023
- Citation
- 23012735
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 23012735.
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 granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD, as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the now service-connected lumbar spine condition. The decision is based on a finding of relative equipoise in the evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to service.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to untimely filing of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his left elbow condition and the severity of his right knee condition, taking into account the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance from another person, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The issue of SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as it is a lesser benefit than SMC based on aid and attendance.
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