The Veteran was awarded a 60% rating for his degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome also claimed as neuro foraminal stenosis, effective August 23, 2012. The Board found that this date marked the earliest ascertainable increase in disability.
The deciding factor: The VA treatment notes from August 8, 2012 constituted an informal claim for an increased rating, and a lumbar MRI revealed moderate bilateral neural foramina stenosis on August 23, 2012.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, neuro foraminal stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18144422
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18144422.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and thoracic/lumbar spine, both secondary to left shoulder fracture.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine and uveitis are being remanded due to the addition of VA treatment records, including visual field test results from a July 2016 examination. These records may be relevant to his disability evaluations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a total disability based on individual unemployability.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential new evidence and further development is needed.,The claim for increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine remains pending. A VA examination will be conducted to assess the current severity of the condition.,The claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to potential new evidence from the Veteran's hearing and need further development.,A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder. The examiner must also attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s reported stressors.
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