The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and TDIU due to service-connected degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria, and there were no findings supporting a TDIU based on the disability alone.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. There was also insufficient evidence to support a finding that his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19127703
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a new VA examination to determine the current level of severity of the Veteran's disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran's degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine were granted a 20% rating from March 27, 2006 to October 6, 2013. The Board found that the condition worsened during his deployment in Iraq and more nearly approximated moderate limitation of motion.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine or left knee DJD prior to October 27, 2015 and from February 1, 2017.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection of the fracture of the neck, degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine, and compensable disability rating for residual scar from an appendectomy has been dismissed. The appeal for a separate award of service connection for residuals of an appendectomy is remanded.
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