The Board has granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, effective from August 4, 2010. The Veteran was previously rated at 20 percent prior to this date.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that as of August 4, 2010, the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability manifested by forward flexion of less than 30 degrees and radiculopathy with mild incomplete sciatic paralysis in both lower extremities. This met the criteria for a 40 percent rating under the general formula for rating diseases and injuries of the spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Status Post Fracture of T7 Thoracic Spine, Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 29, 2014
- Citation
- 1438681
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 1438681.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether PTSD is caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease. The case will be returned for further development.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for acquired psychiatric disorder, and increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was also remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including IBS, somatic symptom disorder, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and various radiculopathies and strains, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service or secondary to a service-connected disability.
- Partly granted
The Board restored the 20 percent rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease, finding that the reduction was improper. The other claims for increased ratings were denied.
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