The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder from January 31, 1974 to February 8, 2001. The condition was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to that date and not more than 20 percent thereafter.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed persistent pain and spasms in the lumbar and thoracic spine over a period of years, warranting a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5295.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar strain, spondylosis at the L5 level, conversion deformity at the T12 level
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 1, 2008
- Citation
- 0803786
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 0803786.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for back condition was denied in a June 1996 Board decision. The Veteran filed an intent to file a claim form and submitted a formal application on August 30, 2023, which resulted in the award of service connection with an initial rating of 40% effective from that date.
- Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of August 14, 2024 for the award of a 40 percent rating for service-connected chronic compression fracture at T7 with lumbar spondylosis and thoracolumbar strain.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's request for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. A VA examination is needed to determine if his service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant eligibility.
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