The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease with facet arthritis on L4-L5 and gastroesophageal reflux disease are granted. The claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities are denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports the grant of service connection for DDD with facet arthritis on L4-L5 as a result of in-service complaints and subsequent MRI findings. Service connection is also granted for GERD based on in-service symptoms and continuity of symptomatology post-service. The claims for knee and shoulder disabilities are denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) with facet arthritis with foraminal narrowing on L4-L5, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 16, 2024
- Citation
- A24056695
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 A24056695.
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 Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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