Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted. An initial rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for stress incontinence prior to June 1, 2015, and a rating of 40 percent, but no higher, from June 1, 2015, is warranted.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports the finding that the Veteran's current back disability is related to her service, with continuity of symptomatology noted since service. The initial rating for stress incontinence prior to June 1, 2015, and from June 1, 2015, was determined based on urinary frequency.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, Stress incontinence
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 16, 2018
- Citation
- 18142675
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 18142675.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine as there was no evidence of an in-service incurrence or a relationship to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and in excess of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) to ensure compliance with the duty to assist.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to August 28, 2017, and a rating in excess of 20 percent from that date.
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