The Board has granted service connection for a thoracic spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle strain. The issue of an increased rating for the right ankle strain remains pending.
The deciding factor: The evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran's current thoracic spine disability developed as a result of his service-connected right ankle disability, and thus secondary service connection has been granted.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracic degenerative joint disease, thoracic disc bulge
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 3, 2014
- Citation
- 1404646
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1404646.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected back condition has rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU based on this condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for lumbar strain with thoracic degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome was denied. The evaluation of the condition prior to October 13, 2014, is still at 20 percent, while on or after that date it is at 40 percent.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to consider the Veteran's contentions regarding his back injuries during service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including whether timely notices of disagreement were filed with certain rating decisions.
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