The claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar disability is reopened and the appeal as to this issue is granted. The Veteran's current back disability is found to be related to his in-service jeep accident, but an addendum VA examination is needed to determine if it was present within one year of discharge.
The deciding factor: The new evidence provided by the Veteran's testimony and a private medical opinion supports reopening the claim for service connection. However, further clarification on whether the current condition can be linked to the in-service injury requires an addendum VA examination.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19158058
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 19158058.
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 service connection for a thoracolumbar disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (left and right), and bilateral hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service symptoms and medical records showing continuity of symptomatology.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting his allegations of disabilities, with some issues being remanded for further review.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's thoracolumbar disability was previously denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 7, 2021 and is now denied a higher rating effective June 7, 2021.,Entitlement to OSA service connection is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it had its onset during service or due to exposure to environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the appellant's thoracolumbar disability. The claim will be further developed with an addendum medical opinion.
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