The Veteran's mild thoracic and lumbar back strain and degenerative disc disease were not found to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees or the combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees, even when considering functional loss due to pain and other factors. There was no muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour.
- Claimed conditions
- mild thoracic and lumbar back strain, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20053999
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20053999.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, chronic vertigo, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effects of these disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran did not file a claim prior to March 1, 2018.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease due to a duty to assist error.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and found that new and relevant evidence had not been received to readjudicate the claims for left and right lower extremity stent placements in femoral arteries.
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