The Veteran's thoracic spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and he disagrees with this evaluation. The Board finds that further development is needed to determine the appropriate rating for his thoracic spine disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has provided evidence of continued back pain and functional impairment over many years, which may warrant a higher rating than the current 40 percent assigned.
- Claimed conditions
- Scheuermann's disease, Schmorl's nodes, degenerative disc/joint disease of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 20, 2011
- Citation
- 1119593
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 1119593.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition, claimed as Schmorl's nodes and degenerative changes, is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Board requires the AOJ to obtain inpatient treatment records from Tripler Army Medical Center and provide medical opinions regarding the cause of his cervical spine disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the appellant's thoracolumbar spine disability and Scheuermann's disease, finding that these conditions were caused or aggravated by events during his active-duty military service.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on forward flexion greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spinal fusion, finding that his pre-existing Scheuermann's disease was aggravated by service. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability.
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