The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for thoracic spine strain has been granted, with an effective date of June 18, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran's condition warranted a 40 percent disability rating due to frequent flare-ups causing increased pain and limiting function.
The deciding factor: The Veteran reported frequent flare-ups causing increased pain and limited function during his testimony and examinations, which were consistent with the medical evidence showing decreased range of motion in flexion.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracic spine strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 15, 2021
- Citation
- 21074389
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 21074389.
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine strain was granted a rating of 20 percent for the period prior to January 29, 2024, but denied a higher rating from that date. The claims for service connection for lumbosacral and sciatic nerve disorders were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's thoracic spine strain with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded this issue.,The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has also remanded this issue. The Board has also remanded claims for service connection for left knee disability and neck disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's thoracic spine disability is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for the post-meniscectomy condition of the left knee.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of cervical spine arthritis and thoracic spine strain, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected DJD of the lumbar spine. The Board has ordered remand with instructions to obtain an addendum medical opinion from a VA physician.
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