The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the thoracolumbar and cervical spine disorders, based on continuity of symptoms since service separation. Service connection is also granted for arthritis of the cervical spine under presumptive service connection provisions due to a motor vehicle accident during service.
The deciding factor: Service treatment records show that the Veteran experienced pain in both the neck and back during service, which continued after service separation. The Board found that this constituted 'continuous' symptoms since service separation.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, Arthritis of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 7, 2017
- Citation
- 1750690
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 1750690.
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 claim for an effective date of March 26, 2018, for arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with IVDS and associated right lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted. The rating assigned is 40 percent.
- Granted
The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period on appeal, as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment.
- Partly granted
The Board granted restoration of a 50 percent rating for TMJ disorder and denied a higher rating, while also granting an initial 40 percent rating for arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and denying a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's spine, bilateral lower extremity, and foot disabilities due to a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR). The issues include increased ratings for these conditions as well as entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance and loss of use.
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