The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and her other conditions do not warrant a higher rating. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was found to be limited to 80 degrees, which is within the range considered for a 20 percent rating (greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees). The combined range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. There were no findings of muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 10, 2018
- Citation
- 1828659
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 1828659.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was rated at 20 percent since January 5, 2011. This rating is in line with his current disability level.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain VA medical records and schedule a VA examination.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as it is rated at 40% and there are no additional disabilities that would bring his combined rating to 70%. The Board finds that referral for extraschedular consideration is not warranted.
- 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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