The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to March 3, 2017 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was consistently at or above 80 degrees during all relevant examinations, which is within the range required for a 10 percent disability rating. The evidence did not show any additional functional loss due to pain or other factors that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes to the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 6, 2017
- Citation
- 1725699
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 1725699.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's functional limitation of motion in his thoracolumbar spine during flare-ups, especially following periods of stillness, more closely approximated 60 degrees of forward flexion and a combined range of motion of 150 degrees prior to October 29, 2014.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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