The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar strain was denied, and the TDIU claim was also denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was limited to 70 degrees, which is within the range for a 20 percent disability rating. The Board did not find any evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar strain, Lumbar radiculopathy (right lower extremity), Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 10, 2018
- Citation
- 18116843
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 18116843.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bladder cancer, erectile dysfunction, and gouty arthropathy due to outstanding VA treatment records not being obtained. The Veteran's request for a referral to a urologist for ED is also remanded. A VA medical opinion is needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's gouty arthropathy and his service-connected conditions.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's initial claim for a disability rating of 70 percent for cognitive impairment with sleep disturbance associated with Parkinson's disease is granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent prior to August 24, 2024 and 40 percent thereafter. Tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. ED is denied.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for GERD, higher ratings for lumbar spine and right wrist disabilities, and ED. The Veteran's ED is found to be caused by his service-connected hypertension.
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