The Veteran's service-connected compression fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spines are currently rated at 20 percent each, with no higher ratings being granted. The effective date for these increased ratings is not specified.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- compression fracture of the thoracic spine, compression fracture of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 11, 2012
- Citation
- 1231169
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 1231169.
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.
- Dismissed
The appellant requested to withdraw their appeal, and the Board has dismissed it due to lack of jurisdiction.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not manifested as or more closely approximated forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine (or its functional equivalent), or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome. Therefore, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded two separate claims for increased ratings: one for a back disability and the other for a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's service records show he served in the U.S. Army from April 1988 to June 1991.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left clavicle fracture, compression fracture of the thoracic spine, and residuals of rib fractures secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI). The evidence did not support that these injuries were related to his TBI.
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