The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The effective date of this decision is not specified.
The deciding factor: The July 2021 VA medical opinion provided by an Army physician specializing in IDES and MEB evaluations supported a finding that the Veteran's thoracic and lumbar spine disease is at least as likely as not related to his service, based on his MOS assignments involving heavy lifting.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), thoracic spine DDD, thoracic spine pain, lumbar radiculopathy, cervical spine radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- November 24, 2021
- Citation
- 21070524
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 21070524.
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 a lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury during active duty and his continuous symptoms since then.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity are rated at 20 percent effective November 6, 2024.
- Denied
The Board found the reduction in disability evaluation from 40% to 20% was improper and void ab initio due to inadequate examination for reduction.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, specifically addressing whether there was aggravation during service and if the lumbar spondylosis, lumbar radiculopathy, sacroiliitis, and failed back surgery syndrome had onset in service.
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