The Veteran's thoracic and lumbar muscle strain and spasm were rated at 40% effective May 9, 2013. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 20%. The Board found a higher rating warranted for the period prior to May 9, 2013.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's findings supported a finding of limitation of motion in flexion and extension, which justified the 40% rating based on the criteria under DC 5237.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracic muscle strain, Lumbar muscle spasm
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21064346
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 21064346.
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.
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- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine have been denied as his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his cervical and thoracic spine disabilities were denied. The reopened claims of service connection for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are pending.
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