The Veteran's effective date for a 40% rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine is set at March 29, 2019. The Board also granted an earlier effective date for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility.
The deciding factor: The increase in disability was ascertainable from medical records as occurring on or after March 26, 2019, when the Veteran's forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was found to be less than 30 degrees. The effective date for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility is set at January 21, 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis of the spine, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 14, 2020
- Citation
- A20018481
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 A20018481.
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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- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
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