Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Granted

The Board granted a 20% evaluation for the veteran's thoracic spine condition effective from September 27, 2005. The previous rating was increased to 10% in July 2004 and then again to 20% in October 2005.

The deciding factor: The VA determined that the veteran's thoracic spine condition warranted a 20% evaluation based on moderate limitation of motion, which is consistent with the revised criteria for evaluating spine disorders effective September 26, 2003.

Claimed conditions
Thoracic spine disc bulge, Degenerative arthritis of thoracic vertebrae
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
20%
Decision date
May 9, 2006
Citation
0613508

Veterans Law Judge

HOLLY E. MOEHLMANN

Decisions by this judge: 386 · Granted: 25% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)

Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.

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 0613508.

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

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

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.