The Veteran's thoracic strain with degenerative changes is currently rated at 20 percent prior to July 1, 2019 and in excess of 20 percent after that date. Separate ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find any evidence of radicular pain or objective neurological abnormalities before July 1, 2019, which is the first documented report of such symptoms in the record.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracic strain with degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 5, 2021
- Citation
- 21006798
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 21006798.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for thoracic strain with degenerative changes due to inadequate examination findings and the need for further development.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain with degenerative changes and thoracic strain with degenerative changes were denied as the evidence did not show that the disabilities warranted a rating in excess of 20 percent.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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