The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was granted an initial rating of 20% prior to April 21, 2016. From April 21, 2016 to February 22, 2017, the Veteran received a 40% rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability. The Board denied a higher rating for this period and remanded the issues of bilateral knee disability and TDIU from June 1, 2011 to July 8, 2013.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was rated based on its specific criteria under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted due to lack of evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracic Scoliosis with Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21021313
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 21021313.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- 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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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