The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine, is service-connected. The decision is based on a finding that there is a nexus between his in-service complaints and his current diagnosis.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows subjective back complaints beginning in service and continuing thereafter, which has been presented as a basis for establishing service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 3, 2018
- Citation
- 1826651
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 1826651.
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: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine and lumbar spondylosis with multilevel mild and mild-to-moderate neural foraminal stenosis, finding that his back disorder is etiologically related to his active service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine is dismissed.,Two issues on appeal are remanded: entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to April 23, 2013, and in excess of 50 percent therefrom for obstructive sleep apnea; and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to October 1, 2020.,The issue of an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and issuing a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The issues include ratings for various disabilities related to TBI, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, right knee, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left thumb sprain, right thumb disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, eye disability, ulnar nerve paresthesias, ankle and wrist disabilities, nausea, constipation, and other conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's back disability is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected condition.
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.