The Veteran's service-connected chronic thoracic and lumbar strain with spasm is rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim was granted prior to January 27, 2012.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s symptoms were primarily due to his non-service-connected degenerative joint disease rather than his service-connected thoracic and lumbar strain with spasm.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic thoracic and lumbar strain with spasm, Degenerative joint disease (arthritis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 22, 2015
- Citation
- 1540929
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 1540929.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's right knee disability, including chondromalacia patella and degenerative joint disease, is rated at 10 percent. The appeal for higher ratings was denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as bilateral pes planus, were denied. The claim to reopen service connection for a cervical spine disorder was granted but the issue of an increased rating for lumbosacral strain remains remanded.,An increased rating for Achilles tendonitis and degenerative joint disease of the right ankle in excess of 10% is denied.
- Denied
The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disabilities, including degenerative joint disease (arthritis), degenerative disc disease, and levoscoliosis, were not incurred in active service. The evidence does not clearly and unmistakably show a preexisting condition at entry to service.
- Denied
The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by mild degenerative joint disease and associated pain, does not warrant a higher initial rating than 10 percent.
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