The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was granted a 10 percent rating from July 1, 1997 to October 30, 2006. Since then, he is entitled to a higher rating for this condition. The arthritis of the thoracic spine has also been rated at its maximum schedular value.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine met the criteria for a 10 percent rating under the old and new criteria, while his arthritis of the thoracic spine was already rated at its maximum schedular value.
- Claimed conditions
- low back strain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1717686
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 1717686.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to procedural errors and a need for additional evidence, including a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new evaluation of the Veteran's arthritis of the thoracic spine and its relationship to her service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as her thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities, including scoliosis, degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine, arthritis of the thoracic spine, and bulging discs of the lumbar spine, did not have its onset during service or are otherwise related to service. Her cervical spine disability, skin disability, headaches, lower extremity paresthesia, psychiatric disability, right hip bursitis, left hip bursitis, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, left knee arthrosis, and asthma were also denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.
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