The Veteran's back disability was initially rated at 10 percent from June 21, 2009 to August 14, 2011. From August 15, 2011 onwards, the rating remained at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examination conducted in March 2014 showed that the Veteran's back disability manifested as painful motion with flexion limited to 55 degrees and other symptoms such as muscle spasms, tenderness, and functional loss due to pain. These findings supported a rating of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5237.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracic strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2015
- Citation
- 1554042
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1554042.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) as there is no evidence that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for thoracic strain throughout the review period, which represents a full grant of benefits sought on appeal.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his thoracic spine disability was denied by the Board, as his current range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected thoracic strain and dismissed the appeal regarding the proposal to sever service connection for vitamin D deficiency.
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