Service connection is granted for mild degenerative changes of the thoracic spine and left knee patellofemoral syndrome.,Service connection is denied for laboratory results during service, to include homocysteine 9.8 range, high cholesterol, Tbil at 1.5, RBC low, low lymphocytes, high glucose, high globulin, low HGB, low HCT, leukocytoses and impaired fasting glucose, high PT, high WBC, low MPV, low VLDL, high nitrate positive, high INR, high IgE, low INR, hyperlipidemia, and high potassium.,An initial evaluation of 100 percent is granted for service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD).
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current diagnoses of mild degenerative changes of the thoracic spine and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are related to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- mild degenerative changes of the thoracic spine, left knee patellofemoral syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- October 19, 2018
- Citation
- 18143677
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 18143677.
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 the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected back and sciatica disabilities. The evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's hypertension, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The lumbar spine disability has also been granted but the effective date is not specified.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address the severity and functional impact of his knee and ankle disabilities.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.