The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. The thoracolumbar spine condition is rated at 20 percent, and the residuals of a healed 5th metacarpal fracture of the right hand are rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar spine condition, healed 5th metacarpal fracture of the right hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 29, 2021
- Citation
- 21077483
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 21077483.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions on etiology and a duty to assist error.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, right knee condition, right shoulder condition, and thoracolumbar spine condition are all granted as service-connected.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an error in providing notice of a pre-decisional hearing, and the Veteran is entitled to such a hearing before the AOJ.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal seeking revision of the September 15, 2014 rating decision that denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is dismissed.
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