The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 40 percent disabling after May 2014, and the cervical spine disability remains at a 20 percent rating. The Veteran does not meet criteria for higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome has been shown to have functional loss, but no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes warranting a higher rating. The cervical spine disability remains at a 20 percent rating as there are no findings of unfavorable ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar strain, Intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 19, 2017
- Citation
- 1740525
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 1740525.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical strain, elbow and knee conditions, radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities, thoracolumbar strain, and GERD. The effective date is set at September 13, 2023.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for reducing his disability ratings for cervical spine conditions has been withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine are granted as service connected due to continuity of symptoms since service.,The Veteran's skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, is granted as service connected based on presumed exposure to burn pits during his service in the Persian Gulf.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Board Appeal request was not timely filed with respect to the rating decision issued on October 21, 2021.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.