Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis, lumbar DDD, lumbosacral strain, and lumbar IVDS, as well as an increased rating of 50 percent from December 29, 2006 for the right fourth metacarpal fracture.
The deciding factor: The Board found that service connection was warranted based on the Veteran's consistent reports of back pain since active duty and the February 2025 VA examiner's opinion that his back disabilities were related to in-service events, despite the prior negative opinions.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative arthritis, lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbosacral strain, lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- October 15, 2025
- Citation
- 25012907
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