The Veteran's appeal includes a complex procedural history and was adjudicated to the extent that only the thoracic spine, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and TDIU claims remain in appellate status. The VA granted an increased rating for the service-connected thoracic spine disorder from 20 percent to 40 percent effective December 26, 2006; denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right carpal tunnel syndrome; and granted a TDIU prior to March 30, 2017.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's thoracic spine disorder was rated at 40% effective December 26, 2006. The rating assigned is based on the criteria for evaluating musculoskeletal disabilities of the spine under Diagnostic Codes 5235-5243. The right carpal tunnel syndrome was rated at 10%. The TDIU was granted as of March 30, 2017.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar chronic sprain, minimal degeneration, bulging and impingement (DDD) of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 10, 2017
- Citation
- 1732363
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 1732363.
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
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