The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating due to lack of pain-free flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of pain-free forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), facet osteoarthritis, Schmol’s nodes, strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 31, 2018
- Citation
- 18146598
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 18146598.
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