http://www.va.gov/vetapp16/Files4/1630403.

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Citation Nr: 1630403
Decision Date: 07/29/16
DOCKET NO.
)
)

Archive Date: 08/04/16

14-25 653 ) DATE

On appeal from the

Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Portland, Oregon
THE ISSUES
1.

Entitlement to service connection for a thoracic spine disability.

2.

Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability.

REPRESENTATION
Veteran represented by: Disabled American Veterans
WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL
Veteran
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD
Mary E. Rude, Associate Counsel
INTRODUCTION
The Veteran served on active duty from August 2005 to July 2009.
These matters come before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal

The Veteran testified before the undersigned by videoconference at the Port

The claims file is entirely in VA's secure electronic processing systems, V

FINDINGS OF FACT
1.

The Veteran currently has a thoracic spine disability, and evidence ind

2.

The Veteran currently has a bilateral knee disability, and evidence ind

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

1.

The criteria for service connection for a thoracic spine disability hav

2. The criteria for service connection for a bilateral knee disability hav
REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

In light of the fully favorable determination in this case, no discussion o

The Veteran contends that he has a thoracic spine disorder and a bilateral

The Veteran's former colleague submitted a statement stating that the Veter

Service connection may be established for a disability resulting from disea

After reviewing all of the evidence of record, the Board finds that the cri

The Veteran has been found to have current disabilities of the thoracic spi

The Board also finds that it is as likely as not that he incurred in-servic

Lastly, the Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regardin
The Veteran also submitted a July 2013 letter from his private physician.

A September 2013 letter from another private physician stated that the Vete

The Board does acknowledge that the October 2012 and January 2014 VA examin

The Board therefore finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regard
ORDER

Entitlement to service connection for a thoracic spine disability is grante

Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability is grante

____________________________________________
BRIANNE OGILVIE
Acting Veterans Law Judge, Board of Veterans' Appeals
Department of Veterans Affairs