The Veteran's initial 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted, and his initial 30 percent rating for painful abdominal scars is granted prior to November 25, 2016. The appeal regarding deep/nonlinear abdominal scars and superficial/nonlinear abdominal scars is not addressed as they are denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability met the criteria for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5242 due to limitation of motion, while his painful abdominal scars met the criteria for a 30 percent rating effective prior to November 25, 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, Painful abdominal scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 26, 2021
- Citation
- 21070789
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 21070789.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed as a matter of law due to a full grant of benefits. The appeals for left knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar disability and associated radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves are granted with effective dates from June 30, 2010. A 40% rating is assigned for the lumbar disability.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 40 percent for his back disability is denied. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU from February 25, 2016, to August 14, 2022, is also denied. The effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is denied.
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