The Veteran's service-connected thoracic and lumbar spine disability did not necessitate a temporary total rating extension beyond June 30, 2009 due to lack of severe postoperative residuals or other specified conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not reflect severe postoperative residuals such as incompletely healed surgical wounds, therapeutic immobilization of one major joint or more, application of a body cast, or the necessity for house confinement. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for convalescence under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracic and lumbar spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 6, 2018
- Citation
- 18108991
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18108991.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for thoracic and lumbar spine disability, including diagnosed lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease (DDD), and radiculopathy. The issues regarding increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities have been remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection of a thoracic and lumbar spine disability, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a skin disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as these issues are related to the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal on all seven issues, including the evaluation of thoracic and lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral leg disorder, bilateral arm disorder, and psychiatric disability.
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