The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine was granted a 20 percent rating effective May 22, 2009. The claim for an earlier effective date prior to May 22, 2009 is moot as he has been granted this increased rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine was rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine (DC 5243) due to his incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the previous 12 months, which warranted a 60 percent rating. The effective date is set as May 22, 2009, the date he submitted his claim for an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 28, 2016
- Citation
- 1644587
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 1644587.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, left hand strain, and left ankle strain due to incomplete development of the record.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU and DEA were granted with an effective date of November 9, 2009. The VA also determined that the Veteran is entitled to SMC.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, neck pain, right pectoralis muscle strain, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine and cervicalgia have been withdrawn, resulting in their dismissal.
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