The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is associated with objective neurological abnormalities of the right lower extremity, resulting in mild incomplete paralysis of a nerve. There are no objective neurologic abnormalities of the thoracic area that meet the criteria for a separate rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examination revealed mild sensory motor polyneuropathy affecting the peroneal, tibial, and sural nerves bilaterally, which is associated with the service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability. The neurological abnormalities of the right lower extremity meet the criteria for a separate 10 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar Spine Disability, Objective Neurological Abnormalities of the Right Lower Extremity, Objective Neurological Abnormalities of the Thoracic Area
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 10, 2012
- Citation
- 1235066
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 1235066.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as there is no prior unadjudicated claim found in the record. The issue of TDIU was not raised until after a final rating decision on service connection for PTSD and TBI.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left shoulder rotator cuff disabilities, effective from March 25, 2008 and February 28, 2008 respectively. The thoracolumbar spine disability was also rated at 40 percent, but a temporary total disability rating for convalescence following a January 13, 2016 left shoulder surgery was denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands all issues on appeal for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and ensuring compliance with prior remand directives.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right wrist disability.
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