The Veteran's service-connected back disability is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of motion was found to be limited but not severe enough to warrant an increased rating based on limitation of motion. The disability did not result in unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes as required by other relevant codes.
- Claimed conditions
- traumatic arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, compression of the 11th and 12th dorsal and 1st lumbar vertebrae involving the costovertebral joint with severe degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 8, 2011
- Citation
- 1133323
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 1133323.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her appeals regarding service connection for chronic pain syndrome, an increased rating for traumatic arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and initial disability ratings for radiculopathy of both lower extremities.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claim for traumatic arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted as it resulted from an injury during a period of inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and determining whether service connection criteria were met prior to the effective dates of the disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.
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