The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, with a history of sprain, is rated at 40 percent. The issue of entitlement to TDIU on schedular basis is denied. The issue of entitlement to TDIU on extraschedular basis is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine resulted in forward flexion of 30 degrees or less, warranting a 40 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, with a history of sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19188372
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 19188372.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of September 1, 2016, for the 40 percent rating assigned for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and denied a rating in excess of 40 percent.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of June 1, 1996, for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine because the Veteran did not receive notice of the initial denial in 1996 and his claim remained pending.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for degenerative disc disease and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient medical evidence.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for the back disability prior to April 13, 2017, and a 40 percent rating from August 2, 2019, to December 30, 2019, but denied higher ratings in other periods. The Board also remanded several service connection claims.
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