The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracic spine strain does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his range of motion and symptoms do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's thoracic spine strain did not result in limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes that would justify a higher rating. The medical evidence showed normal ranges of motion and no significant functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracic Spine Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 1, 2016
- Citation
- 1645219
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 1645219.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for sinusitis, right knee disability, and thoracic spine strain, and assigned initial ratings of 40%, 30%, and 30% respectively. The claims for increased rating for left shoulder disability (osteoarthritic changes) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were also granted with the same respective ratings.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected panic disorder without agoraphobia alone prevents him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective April 27, 2009. Additionally, the Veteran has additional service-connected disabilities independently rated at 60 percent or more, qualifying him for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate addendum opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck, upper back, and right shoulder disabilities. The VA needs to provide new opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are each rated at 20 percent, but the Board found they do not warrant higher ratings based on the criteria provided.
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