The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is not shown to result in limitation of flexion to 60 degrees or less, combined range of motion to 120 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis or abnormal kyphosis. Therefore, the claim for a higher initial evaluation is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent under any applicable diagnostic code due to lack of limitation in range of motion and absence of other disabling symptoms such as muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait.
- Claimed conditions
- Spinal Compression Fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 17, 2014
- Citation
- 1441530
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 1441530.
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.
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- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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