The Veteran's thoracic and cervical spine DDD are granted as service connected. The Veteran's headaches, which are secondary to the spinal conditions, are also granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners provided opinions supporting a direct relationship between the Veteran's current spinal conditions and his military service, including an in-service motor vehicle accident.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracic spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), cervical spine DDD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2021
- Citation
- 21063754
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 21063754.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left knee DJD, right knee DJD, lumbar spine DDD, and cervical spine DDD as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine DDD are being remanded due to procedural errors in the initial rating decisions. The Board will consider the evidence of record at the time of these decisions on a de novo basis.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracic and lumbar spine conditions, diagnosed as DDD, are related to his active-duty service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
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