The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating greater than 20 percent for thoracolumbar disc disease, finding that his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The issue regarding urinary incontinence was also addressed and determined to be unrelated to service-connected thoracolumbar disc disease.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's reported symptoms were found to align with the current disability rating assigned under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The examiner concluded that the urinary incontinence was unrelated to his service-connected thoracolumbar disc disease.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar disc disease, urinary incontinence
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 14, 2010
- Citation
- 1026224
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 1026224.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 21, 2024, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for urinary incontinence.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, right knee pain (bilateral knee condition), left knee pain (bilateral knee condition), chronic right hip pain (bilateral hip condition), left hip condition (bilateral hip condition), rectal cancer (colon cancer), chronic fecal incontinence (bowel condition), and urinary incontinence. The claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus Type II were remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for prostate cancer status post radical prostatectomy, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes, sleep apnea, prostate cancer, urinary incontinence, residuals of gallbladder removal, gout and low back disability, as well as entitlement to a TDIU prior to April 20, 2023, due to inadequate medical opinions.
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