The Veteran's initial increased rating for thoracolumbar strain is denied. The appeal as to entitlement to a TDIU from June 20, 2019 is dismissed as moot.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s thoracolumbar strain did not result in forward flexion of the spine at or below 30 degrees and did not meet criteria for unfavorable ankylosis. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 20, 2019.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 18, 2022
- Citation
- 22015773
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 22015773.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical strain, elbow and knee conditions, radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities, thoracolumbar strain, and GERD. The effective date is set at September 13, 2023.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Board Appeal request was not timely filed with respect to the rating decision issued on October 21, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous instructions. The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain and degenerative arthritis, cervical strain, and LLE radiculopathy cases are still pending for higher evaluations.
- Granted
The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar strain, effective from January 24, 2014. The decision is based on evidence of functional equivalent to unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
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