The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it was incurred in service and is related to the Veteran's in-service back injuries.
The deciding factor: The opinion from Dr. MF established a link between the Veteran's current condition and his in-service back injuries, which were not adequately addressed by VA examiners who failed to consider the lay evidence of chronic symptoms since service.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 27, 2023
- Citation
- 23058278
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 23058278.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to a lack of adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for mechanical low back pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as the TDIU claim. The case must be reviewed by the AOJ to consider additional evidence.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including severe osteoarthritis in his knees and degenerative joint disease of the spine, have rendered him unable to dress, feed himself, or perform daily activities without significant assistance. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance from another person.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hiatal hernia and degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms. The veteran was granted a 10 percent evaluation for each condition.
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