The Veteran's thoracic facet syndrome, degenerative lumbar spine, and osteopenia are not service-connected as they did not manifest during her active military service or are not proximately due to a service-connected condition. The Board finds no evidence of arthritis within one year post-service.
The deciding factor: There is no medical evidence showing the Veteran's thoracic facet syndrome, degenerative lumbar spine, and osteopenia were incurred in or aggravated by her active military service.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracic facet syndrome, degenerative lumbar spine, osteopenia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2012
- Citation
- 1236044
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 1236044.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claim for spina bifida occulta with degenerative arthritis and osteopenia is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature of his pre-existing condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the AOJ made a duty to assist error by failing to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with osteopenia and spondylosis is due to or aggravated by his service-connected feet disabilities. The claim is being remanded for this purpose.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for osteopenia, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case to ensure that the duty to assist was satisfied with regard to obtaining VA and private records relevant to the claim.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.