The veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the thoracic spine and residuals of a fracture of the left sixth rib are rated at 10 percent each, effective from November 1, 1995.
The deciding factor: Both conditions have been evaluated based on their direct relationship to the veteran's military service without any need for additional presumptions or theories of connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes of the thoracic spine, Fracture of the left sixth rib
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 3, 2002
- Citation
- 0213612
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 0213612.
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
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The appeal pertaining to the thoracic spine disability is remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for a thoracic spine condition. The examiner did not address the Veteran’s in-service diagnosis of L5-S1 herniated disk and his vehicle rollover accident, which are relevant to determining the etiology of his current thoracic spine condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's degenerative changes of the thoracic spine, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and costochondritis are found to be related to his active service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's request for a higher rating for his thoracic spine disability and has remanded the issues of SMC based on need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound prior to April 1, 2015, entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance from April 1, 2015, and TDIU.
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