The Board has denied a disability rating greater than 10 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine compression fracture, finding that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for any higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s lumbar spine compression fracture resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine between 30 and 60 degrees, with a combined range of motion less than 120 degrees. These findings did not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating under any applicable diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine compression fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20065086
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,088 · Granted: 33% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20065086.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, TBI, tension headaches, a lumbar spine compression fracture, a right elbow fracture, scars of the right forearm, neuropathy of the right upper extremity, a right wrist fracture, and tinnitus previously found to be service connected for treatment purposes only is dismissed. Service connection for a right knee disability is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial increased rating claim for his service-connected back disability is denied. The case has been remanded to obtain further information regarding the Veteran's employment status and circumstances prior to August 1, 2018.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine compression fracture was denied, as the disability did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 40 percent from January 19, 2021.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and TDIU due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding his lumbar spine disability prior to March 1, 2011. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine compression fracture.
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