The Veteran's thoracic strain prior to March 8, 2018 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent due to normal range of motion and no evidence of ankylosis or other neurological abnormalities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s forward flexion was consistently at 90 degrees and rotation and extension were within normal limits, without any loss of function.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracic strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19194253
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 19194253.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected thoracic strain and dismissed the appeal regarding the proposal to sever service connection for vitamin D deficiency.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for thoracic strain, as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded other issues due to insufficient evidence regarding her cervical spine radiculopathy diagnosis and a need for an updated opinion on service connection for chronic allergic conjunctivitis.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the thoracic strain disability prior to May 13, 2014, but denied a higher rating from that date through September 23, 2017.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.