The Veteran's low back pain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 50% effective December 1, 2014. The Board found that the evidence showed unfavorable anklyosis of the thoracolumbar spine due to painful motion.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations noted significant functional loss and pain in all ranges of motion, which was considered equivalent to unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- low back degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- August 15, 2019
- Citation
- 19163355
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 19163355.
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Granted
The veteran's service connection for a low back disorder, including degenerative arthritis and disc disease, is granted. The decision is based on the presumption of continuity of symptomatology since service.
- Partly granted
The veteran's appeal for direct payment of agent fees was granted, but the issue of whether the amount of fees awarded is reasonable was remanded.
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