The Veteran's thoracolumbar disability results in an additional impairment in his ability to work beyond the 20 percent schedular criteria already awarded, but reduction of ability to function in a work setting is not shown to be reduced beyond one-third efficiency. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support an extraschedular rating higher than 10 percent for thoracolumbar disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's limitations in his work include the need for a flexible schedule to accommodate flare-ups of pain but still enabling him to work full time, and the ability to leave work in the event of severe pain. These accommodations are consistent with the types of functional limitations and vocational considerations discussed in the Medical EPSS guide used in assigning schedular ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar back disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 11, 2017
- Citation
- 1711570
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 1711570.
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- Granted
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