The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or other criteria warranting a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show any evidence of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine at any time during the appellate period.
- Claimed conditions
- DJD of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 3, 2014
- Citation
- 1404620
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 1404620.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the thoracic spine has been rated at 10 percent since May 2, 2006.,Prior to June 6, 2011, her DJD was manifested by stiffness, weakness, fatigability, normal range of motion, spasm, and degenerative changes without pain or functional loss on motion. The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating is denied.,Since June 6, 2011, the Veteran's DJD has been manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over the last several months, without severe economic inadaptability.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for DJD of the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the thoracic spine is rated at 40 percent effective January 20, 2010. His left-knee and right-knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.
- Denied
The Board found that the cause of death was an overdose of medications, combined with illegal substances. The service-connected disabilities did not contribute to the veteran's death.
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