The Veteran's disability of thoracolumbar spine has been evaluated at a 10% rating, but the evidence does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s disability of thoracolumbar spine did not result in forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, combined range of motion of 120 degrees or less, or ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. Additionally, there was no evidence of incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least two weeks but less than four weeks over the past 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar spine condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 2, 2012
- Citation
- 1215816
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1215816.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine condition did not begin in service and is not otherwise related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a thoracolumbar spine condition due to a pre-decisional error in failing to obtain an adequate medical opinion. The case is now pending with instructions to provide a new VA examination and opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and left upper extremity neuropathy due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the need for additional development of evidence.
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