The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is granted a 40 percent evaluation prior to December 20, 2017.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found the Veteran's back condition limited his ability to work and resulted in forward flexion of the lumbar spine limited from zero to 30 degrees with painful motion beginning at 60 degrees. This met the criteria for a 40 percent evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease, Degenerative joint disease, Thoracolumbar kyphosis, Thoracic scoliosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 1, 2022
- Citation
- 22043475
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 22043475.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability and right leg radiculopathy are granted service connection, but left leg radiculopathy is denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability, effective from the date of the August 2013 VA examination. The decision also notes that all reasonable doubt is resolved in favor of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are currently rated at 10 percent prior to March 5, 2021, and 20 percent thereafter. The appeal is denied as the criteria for higher ratings have not been met.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from February 11, 2019. He also received increased ratings for his radiculopathy in the right and left lower extremities.
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