The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy as proximately due to this condition, migraine headaches, dizziness, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a skin disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was in at least approximate balance regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions and granted service connection for them based on direct service connection criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, Right sciatic nerve radiculopathy, Left sciatic nerve radiculopathy, Migraine headaches, Dizziness, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Right shoulder disability, Left shoulder disability, Skin disability, Bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 26, 2026
- Citation
- 26002716
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 26002716.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- 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.
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