The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, and the issues of service connection and reopening a previously denied claim were addressed. The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, and granted service connection for this condition. Service connection was also granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and numbness and tingling of the bilateral legs as secondary to service-connected mechanical low back strain. The Veteran's sarcoidosis of the thighs, arms, and legs and pulmonary sarcoidosis were both rated at 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new evidence had been submitted sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, and granted service connection for this condition. Service connection was also granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and numbness and tingling of the bilateral legs as secondary to service-connected mechanical low back strain.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes of the thoracic spine, Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Numbness and tingling of bilateral legs, Sarcoidosis of the thighs, arms, and legs, Pulmonary sarcoidosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 26, 2009
- Citation
- 0919591
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0919591.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine and right hip disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The effective date for DEA benefits is granted as May 1, 2014.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for his back disability is denied. The effective date remains March 29, 2021, as the earliest date of claim. An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the back disability from March 29, 2021, is also denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's low back disability and right leg radiculopathy are granted service connection, but left leg radiculopathy is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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