The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee patellofemoral arthritis, and thus grants service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine.
The deciding factor: Service connection was granted based on a finding that the Veteran's current back disorder (degenerative disc disease) is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee patellofemoral arthritis, as supported by medical opinions indicating an altered gait from the knee condition caused changes in the Veteran's posture and gait which affected his back.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 3, 2013
- Citation
- 1311012
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 1311012.
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 Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent prior to January 13, 2022. Effective March 18, 2020, the Veteran is granted TDIU.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and obstructive sleep apnea. As a result, these claims are being remanded to allow for further review.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted entitlement to Chapter 33 educational assistance benefits at the 100 percent rate due to his service-connected back disability and discharge from active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability. The Court granted a JMPR, which required the Board to address pain on passive range of motion and nonweight-bearing testing. The case is now remanded due to inadequate examination documentation.
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