The Veteran's thoracic spine disability was granted an initial rating of 40 percent prior to August 18, 2010. The condition resulted in severe pain and limited range of motion, but no unfavorable ankylosis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's back disability caused significant limitation of motion with associated radicular symptoms, warranting a higher rating than the initial 10 percent assigned.
- Claimed conditions
- Multiple level disc disease, thoracic and lumbar spine, Left lower extremity radiculitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 27, 2017
- Citation
- 1705878
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 1705878.
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 initial claim for a higher rating for post laminectomy syndrome, fusion of L5-S1 was denied as the evidence did not show forward flexion to 30 degrees or less nor ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculitis prior to December 24, 2014 was denied as there was no evidence of moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculitis from December 24, 2014 was denied as there was no evidence of moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis and left lower extremity radiculitis from October 19, 2011 onwards is being remanded due to the need for further examination. His initial claim for a higher rating prior to January 6, 2009 for left lower extremity radiculitis has been granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's thoracic spine disability was granted a 60 percent evaluation effective October 22, 2012. The claim for higher evaluations prior to that date remains denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
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