The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected degenerative disc disease, thoracic spine was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports showed flexion better than 60 degrees and combined range of motion better than 120 degrees, which are consistent with the current 10 percent evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease, thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 3, 2017
- Citation
- 1706625
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 1706625.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for thoracic spine disability and separate ratings for radiculopathy in the upper and lower extremities are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.
- Granted
The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for degenerative disc disease, thoracic spine with herniated disc T6-T7 and denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's sleep disorder.
- Granted
The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated appropriately based on the severity of his symptoms and medical findings.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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