The Veteran's back disability, characterized as thoracic sprain with lumbar degenerative disc disease, has resulted in no less than 45 degrees of forward flexion without evidence of ankylosis or fixation. The Board denied a higher rating due to the lack of limitation of motion and absence of ankylosis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability did not result in limitation of motion to 30 degrees or less, nor was there evidence of ankylosis or function fixation of the spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracic sprain, Lumbar degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 7, 2022
- Citation
- 22012775
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 22012775.
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.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acute kidney failure and lumbar degenerative disc disease, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine arthritis, bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, and lumbar degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's conditions are deemed to have been incurred during his active military service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease but denied an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and service connection for generalized anxiety disorder.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed as the claim was granted in full.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.