The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, effective from May 2004. The veteran's claim was previously denied in November 2004 due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE).
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the veteran's disability more closely approximated a 20 percent evaluation based on forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 19, 2008
- Citation
- 0805622
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 0805622.
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 Board has granted service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.
- Granted
The Veteran's back condition, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar and thoracic spine as well as degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome, is granted. The right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy are also granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a VA examination that complies with Correia v. McDonald to determine the current degree of severity of the service-connected back disability.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that there is no causal connection between his in-service event and his current disability.
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