The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine arthritis and left knee osteoarthritis, but denied service connection for fibromyalgia, right knee disability, and abdominal or gastrointestinal disability. The rating for the left knee scar was reduced from 10% to 0%, effective September 1, 2012.
The deciding factor: The Board found that chronic back symptoms during service and continuous back symptoms since service are in equipoise, warranting presumptive service connection for thoracolumbar spine arthritis. The other claims were denied due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between the conditions and service or secondary to service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- fibromyalgia, thoracolumbar spine arthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee disability, abdominal or gastrointestinal disability
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- August 3, 2018
- Citation
- 18123917
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 18123917.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, fibromyalgia, and vertigo. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.
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