The Board found that the severance of service connection for spinal stenosis, low back pain with degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was improper due to conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran's conditions were linked to his service-connected myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) but also potentially related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the original grant of service connection for these conditions based on MDS was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, as there were conflicting medical opinions supporting both the secondary theory and a direct relationship to Camp Lejeune contamination.
- Claimed conditions
- Spinal stenosis, Low back pain with degenerative disc disease, Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 5, 2024
- Citation
- A24053300
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 A24053300.
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 Board denied extraschedular ratings for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to February 3, 2011.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it warrants a rating of 40 percent throughout the appeal period.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is granted. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating will be remanded for further evaluation.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 70% effective from February 11, 2010.,Entitlement to an earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted based on the evidence provided.
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