The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for thoracic spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the veteran's thoracic spine disability manifested by severe limitation of motion and mild intervertebral disc syndrome warranted only a 10 percent evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracic spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 28, 2002
- Citation
- 0205346
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0205346.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and consideration of the appellant's theory that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which contributed to his death.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected migraines are granted, and her thoracic spine disability is rated at 20 percent. The rating for the thoracic spine disability remains unchanged as there is no evidence of flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, thoracic spine disability, radicular pain of the right upper extremity, and radicular pain of the left upper extremity as withdrawn by the Veteran. The appeal is also REMANDED for a VA medical opinion on the claim of service connection for headaches.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical, lumbar, and thoracic spine disabilities due to a lack of VA examination. The Veteran is advised to provide any missing records and undergo VA examinations.
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