The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is shown to result in abnormal thoracic kyphosis on MRI, which warrants a 20 percent disability rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed compensable limitation of motion and muscle spasm or guarding resulting in an abnormal gait or spinal contour (kyphosis).
- Claimed conditions
- osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21028863
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 21028863.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for scoliosis and osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, resulting in the dismissal of this case.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records from CJW Medical Center and Johnston-Willis Hospital. The claims are also remanded for issuance of an SOC regarding the effective date for a 10% rating for right foot hallux valgus.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for urethral stricture is dismissed. The appeals for PTSD, osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, alcoholism, chemical dependence, and insomnia are remanded.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees and thoracolumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.
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