The Board has determined that the veteran's thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities warrant separate 10 and 40 percent ratings, respectively. The RO initially considered this claim under both sets of criteria but is now considering it under the revised criteria effective September 23, 2002, and September 26, 2003.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the veteran's thoracic spine disability is manifested by arthritis with pain on motion. The low back disability was manifested by severe intervertebral disc syndrome, characterized by recurrent attacks with intermittent relief; however, the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding of pronounced intervertebral disc disease.
- Claimed conditions
- dislocation of the eighth and ninth thoracic costovertebral vertebrae, secondary lumbosacral strain and discogenic disease at L4-L5
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 4, 2005
- Citation
- 0521138
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 0521138.
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
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