The Board found that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated by an in-service event, injury or illness. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.
The deciding factor: VA medical opinions determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition preexisted service and was not permanently aggravated during service.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 3, 2016
- Citation
- 1642437
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 1642437.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine and secondary service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active-duty service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate notice and an inadequately supported medical opinion, requiring further review of eligibility for PCAFC benefits based on need for personal care services related to service-connected conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is granted, as his back disability had its onset in active military service.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) effective December 29, 2011.,The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also granted as of December 29, 2011.
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