The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and reopened claims for a back disability and left knee disability, while remanding other issues.
The deciding factor: The evidence was found to be new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for a back and left knee disability. The current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is related to active service based on the medical opinion provided.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, Back disability (general, not specified)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- January 8, 2024
- Citation
- 24001229
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine as there was no evidence of an in-service incurrence or a relationship to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and in excess of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) to ensure compliance with the duty to assist.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to August 28, 2017, and a rating in excess of 20 percent from that date.
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