The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent for orthopedic impairment, and separate 10 percent ratings are assigned for neurological impairment of the right and left lower extremities.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and medical records support a finding that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability manifests with pain, muscle spasms, and limitation of motion. The neurological manifestations include radiating and burning pain down both lower extremities above the knee. These findings are consistent with a 20 percent rating for orthopedic impairment under Diagnostic Code 5237 and separate 10 percent ratings for incomplete paralysis of the bilateral sciatic nerves (Diagnostic Code 8520).
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar Spine Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 14, 2017
- Citation
- 1727596
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 1727596.
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 claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as there is no prior unadjudicated claim found in the record. The issue of TDIU was not raised until after a final rating decision on service connection for PTSD and TBI.
- Partly granted
The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left shoulder rotator cuff disabilities, effective from March 25, 2008 and February 28, 2008 respectively. The thoracolumbar spine disability was also rated at 40 percent, but a temporary total disability rating for convalescence following a January 13, 2016 left shoulder surgery was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands all issues on appeal for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and ensuring compliance with prior remand directives.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right wrist disability.
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