The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of compression fractures of the thoracic spine with kyphosis and osteophytes warrant a rating of 30 percent, reflecting both moderate limitation of motion and significant muscle spasms.
The deciding factor: The disability includes vertebral deformity and is manifested by significant mid-thoracic muscle spasms and limitation of motion. The additional 10 percent for the vertebral deformity results in a total evaluation of 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5291, which reflects moderate limitation of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- compression fractures of the thoracic spine, kyphosis, osteophytes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- May 31, 2000
- Citation
- 0014370
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 0014370.
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.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for kyphosis and degenerative disc disease, as well as cervical strain with IVDS. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions had their onset in or were caused by service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for kyphosis, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of left ankle disability is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate a collateral attack motion regarding the August 1985 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for kyphosis, left shoulder impairment, and sleep impairment. The Veteran's representative and any other interested parties must be contacted to determine if they still wish to pursue these claims. They should also provide lay statements from individuals who have firsthand knowledge of any in-service left shoulder injury. Additionally, a VA Form 21-8940 with instructions for completion should be provided to the Veteran to determine eligibility for TDIU.
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