The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities are related to his military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.
The deciding factor: The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current back disabilities were incurred or aggravated by his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracic degenerative spine disease, lumbar DDD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 30, 2018
- Citation
- 1819074
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 1819074.
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 cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as their associated radiculopathy conditions, are remanded for further development. The fibromyalgia with headaches claim is also remanded due to a duty to assist error.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of clarity regarding when and where the Veteran initially filed his claims for service-connected disabilities. The appellant needs to provide additional documentation or information to substantiate her claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's lumbar DDD and COPD are related to service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cervical DDD, lumbar DDD, and DM have been dismissed. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.
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.