The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is granted, with an effective date from October 1, 2007. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease remains pending.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran has forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to approximately 30 degrees after considering additional functional impairment due to pain, which approximates a disability level warranting a 40 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease, status-post laminectomy of the thoracolumbar spine, Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 24, 2012
- Citation
- 1214721
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 1214721.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel disease, neuropathy of lower extremities, neuropathy of upper extremities, rhinitis, sinusitis, prostate cancer, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee condition (claimed as bilateral knee injuries), and traumatic brain injury is denied due to lack of evidence supporting the presence or relationship of these conditions to service.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for loss of use of a creative organ and sleep apnea related to an acquired psychiatric disability is also denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's GERD and hernia hiatal are related to his service, specifically during active duty or a period of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including thoracolumbar and cervical spine conditions, preclude locomotion without the aid of a walker, warranting eligibility for specially adapted housing.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and gastroesophageal reflux disease, both as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder.
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