The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting back disability, including multiple compression fractures of the thoracic spine, was aggravated during service and is currently manifested by arthritis of the thoracic spine. Therefore, service connection for a back disability, to include degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, is granted.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the veteran sustained multiple compression fractures in his thoracic spine prior to service, which raises a presumption of aggravation during service. Post-service medical and X-ray evidence confirms current arthritis of the thoracic spine, with no clear and unmistakable evidence showing the pre-existing condition was not aggravated.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint disease, multiple compression fractures of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 8, 2006
- Citation
- 0638308
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 0638308.
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and lumbosacral strain, based on the Veteran's consistent account of having low back problems since service.
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The Board granted service connection for a right arm disability, diagnosed as right shoulder strain, tendinopathy, tendinosis, and degenerative joint disease, based on the evidence showing that these conditions initially manifested during service and continuously progressed and worsened after discharge.
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