The Veteran's increased ratings for degenerative changes, thoracic spine and residuals of lumbar strain are denied as the current evaluations reflect the maximum disability ratings based on limited motion.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s disabilities do not meet or approximate criteria for higher disability ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting specific criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes, thoracic spine, Residuals of lumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 13, 2018
- Citation
- 18157890
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 18157890.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right knee scar is denied, and his residuals of lumbar strain are granted a 20 percent disability rating effective June 10, 2019.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation regarding his entitlement to higher levels of SMC and a rating increase for his residual left knee injury. The Board found that he does not meet the legal criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) based on the lack of anatomical loss or use in his feet, hands, or eyes.
- Denied
The VA has determined that the veteran does not have a right ankle disorder, gastrointestinal/gastroesophageal disability, dorsal spine disability, or bilateral shoulder disability that is service-connected. The lumbar strain condition also cannot be linked to service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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