The Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and his left ear hearing loss is rated as non-compensable. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed no significant impairment of function or incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome, which precluded a higher evaluation under the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was found to be non-compensable as it did not meet the criteria for any specific rating.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracic spine degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 14, 2009
- Citation
- 0918126
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 0918126.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's psoriasis has been granted a 60 percent rating. The evaluations for his left foot and right foot degenerative joint disease with calcaneal spur, as well as his thoracic spine degenerative disc disease, are being remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's thoracic spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease are granted as service connected. The claims for right shoulder, left shoulder, right elbow, and left elbow disabilities are remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board denied earlier effective dates for several conditions but granted an effective date of June 28, 2021 for radiculopathy in the right upper extremity.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, thoracic spine degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity with sciatic nerve impairment, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from July 26, 2017.
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