The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board found that he did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation of his multi-level compression fracture of the thoracolumbar spine prior to March 16, 2011. For the period since March 16, 2011, the evidence does not show additional functional impairment due to pain or weakness that would warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's back disability was found to have been manifested by limitation of motion in flexion to no worse than 70 degrees prior to March 16, 2011 and to no worse than 50 degrees since then. The evidence did not show additional functional impairment due to pain or weakness that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Multi-level compression fracture of the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 3, 2013
- Citation
- 1300200
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 1300200.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, a headache disability as secondary to service-connected MS, and an eye disability as secondary to service-connected MS. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are supported by medical evidence, and the Board finds that they are related to her service-connected MS.
- Granted
The Board has granted a separate 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected Multiple Sclerosis (MS), finding that there are additional ascertainable manifestations of MS not accounted for by other disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was granted effective August 10, 2022. This decision also grants the Veteran an initial rating of 100% for MS.,Effective August 10, 2022, the Veteran is now entitled to DEA benefits based on his service-connected MS.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's Multiple Sclerosis first manifested during service or within seven years after separation. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on this matter.
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