The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a fracture of the coccyx and an increased evaluation for his service-connected fracture of the sacrum with post-traumatic degenerative changes and disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine. The veteran was not granted service connection for the coccyx, but his initial 20% rating for the sacrum condition remained unchanged.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show a fracture of the coccyx during service or since, and there were no findings of severe intervertebral disc syndrome (IDS) with recurring attacks. The veteran's low back disability was evaluated as 20 percent disabling under DC 5293 prior to September 4, 2002.
- Claimed conditions
- fracture of the sacrum with post-traumatic degenerative changes and disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, fracture of the coccyx
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 25, 2005
- Citation
- 0523423
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 0523423.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to new evidence received after the February 2022 Supplemental Statement of the Case.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected fracture of the coccyx resulted in a 10% rating, which is the maximum schedular rating for partial or complete removal of the coccyx with painful residuals. The Board found no additional functional impairment on repetitive motion and denied an increased rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's service-connected coccyx fracture and assigned a compensable disability rating of 10 percent.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a coccyx fracture warrant a 10 percent disability rating, as this condition manifests as pain and tenderness in the area of the coccyx without clinical indication of other symptomatology.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.