The VA determined that the veteran's thoracic spine arthritis does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as it has resulted in no more than severe limitation of dorsal spine motion and there is no ankylosis or cord involvement.
The deciding factor: The VA found that the veteran's thoracic spine arthritis did not result in any additional limitations due to ankylosis or disc disease, which would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracic spine arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 28, 2008
- Citation
- 0803094
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 0803094.
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: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and thoracic spine arthritis, finding that new evidence supports these claims under the presumptive service connection provisions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disabilities is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that is relevant to his claims.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her helpless as to need regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC based on aid and attendance from April 21, 2021.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 1, 2015, for the start of payment of disability compensation based on his service-connected disabilities. The effective date of the grants of service connection was January 1, 2015, but actual payment began on February 1, 2015.
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