The VA reduced the Veteran's disability rating for his thoracolumbar spine disorder from 40 percent to 20 percent effective June 1, 2010. The reduction was upheld as supported by recent medical evidence showing improvement in the Veteran's condition.
The deciding factor: Recent medical examination showed improved range of motion and no signs of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, supporting a lower rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar Spine Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 23, 2016
- Citation
- 1647903
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 1647903.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without showing good cause.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder and cervical pain but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also granted ratings of 10 percent or 20 percent for several conditions from specific dates.
- Partly granted
The Board granted restoration of the 70% evaluation for PTSD and the 40% evaluation for thoracolumbar spine disorder, effective August 1, 2021, while denying an increased rating in excess of 70% for PTSD and 40% for thoracolumbar spine disorder.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The other issues on appeal have been remanded.
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