The veteran's claims for increased ratings and a higher evaluation for his thoracic spine disability were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical spine arthritis, or for a compensable evaluation prior to August 19, 1993, for chest wall symptoms associated with thoracic spine degenerative disc disease.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and treatment records did not show more than slight limitation of motion in the thoracic spine prior to August 19, 1993, or significant ankylosis. The veteran's cervical spine disability was found to have a severe range of motion but no evidence of ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with psychological factors, Degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 15, 2000
- Citation
- 0024729
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 0024729.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's back disabilities, specifically addressing functional loss during flare-ups and with repeated use over time.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine, a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and panic disorder with alcohol use disorder (in remission), and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to consider if the Veteran's symptoms amount to functional ankylosis, which can establish entitlement to a higher disability rating for his service-connected thoracic spine.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including to consider the ameliorative effects of medications on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and to determine whether an effective date earlier than June 5, 2013 is warranted for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.
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