The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylosis was granted, but only up to a 40 percent rating as of March 6, 2017. Prior to that date, the rating remained at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less prior to March 6, 2017, which is required for a higher disability rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 7, 2022
- Citation
- 22062173
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 22062173.
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 Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's back disability during the period from March 30, 2010, to March 13, 2015, but denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the same condition during the period from February 4, 2008, to March 29, 2009.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating from 20 percent to 60 percent for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylosis was granted effective March 30, 2009, to March 29, 2010.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the April 2018 remand directives have not been substantially complied with, and the Veteran's thoracolumbar disability claim and lower extremity radiculopathy claims are therefore being remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability.
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