The Veteran's initial evaluations for thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities were denied, with the Board finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation or an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to September 26, 2003.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations conducted during the appeal period did not show any signs of severe limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes as required by the revised rating criteria effective September 23, 2002 and September 26, 2003. The Veteran's symptoms were described as mild to moderate.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracic spine strain, Lumbosacral strain with radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2012
- Citation
- 1240869
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 1240869.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine strain was granted a rating of 20 percent for the period prior to January 29, 2024, but denied a higher rating from that date. The claims for service connection for lumbosacral and sciatic nerve disorders were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's thoracic spine strain with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded this issue.,The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has also remanded this issue. The Board has also remanded claims for service connection for left knee disability and neck disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's thoracic spine disability is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for the post-meniscectomy condition of the left knee.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of cervical spine arthritis and thoracic spine strain, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected DJD of the lumbar spine. The Board has ordered remand with instructions to obtain an addendum medical opinion from a VA physician.
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