The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, variously diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis, finding that the Veteran's back disability was aggravated by his active service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's back disability was aggravated during active service based on documented complaints of back pain in May 1991 and current diagnoses whose symptoms have persisted since service.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 4, 2025
- Citation
- A25031550
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 remands the claims for service connection for spinal stenosis, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Dismissed
The appeal seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, degenerative arthritis, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension was dismissed due to non-compliance with claims processing rules.
- Granted
The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability since September 26, 2024.
- Dismissed
The appeal to reopen the previous denial of service connection for lumbosacral strain is dismissed as the benefit sought has been fully granted.
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