The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis was granted with a 20% disability rating effective December 2, 2019. The decision does not specify the effective date as it is based on evidence showing actual worsening of the condition within one year prior to the claim.
The deciding factor: The RO found that the increase in severity of the Veteran's low back disability was factually ascertainable between February 24, 2019, and December 2, 2019, based on evidence from a VA examination conducted on December 2, 2019.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2026
- Citation
- A26023200
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26023200.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition, including thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease other than IVDS. The decision finds that the Veteran's current disability is causally related to his military service due to an accident during training in 1963.
- Granted
The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is granted as service connected on a direct basis due to exposure to burn pits during his service in Djibouti.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis is granted as service connected on a direct basis, related to his time as an aviator and the hard landings he experienced.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for all claims of service connection, including those for bilateral flat feet, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right CTS, left CTS, essential tremors, right ankle arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, and left knee arthritis. The appeal of sleep apnea was granted in a July 2024 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to potential missing treatment records and deficiencies in the VA examinations used. The Veteran will need new disability benefit questionnaires completed, as well as new VA examinations with specific range of motion measurements.
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