The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that his range of motion does not warrant a higher evaluation due to pain and other functional limitations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran retains more than 60 degrees of forward flexion and a combined range of motion of 120 degrees of the thoracolumbar spine, even after considering additional functional impairment. The criteria for an increased rating do not meet the requirements set forth in VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 17, 2016
- Citation
- 1610948
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 1610948.
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 Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, upper extremity neurological, and lower extremity neurological disabilities due to inadequate VA medical examinations in March 2019 and January-May 2016. The new examinations must consider the Veteran's reported onset dates for his symptoms.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted based on the evidence provided.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar spine disability and left hip disability due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision. The claims will be reconsidered with new medical opinions.
- Granted
The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not support a finding of entitlement to an increased rating for this condition.
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