A 20 percent rating for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine (back disability) is granted from August 28, 2017 to July 5, 2022.,Prior to August 28, 2017, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected back disability is denied.,A rating in excess of 20 percent from July 5, 2022, for service-connected back disability is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's back disability worsened after August 28, 2017, and his forward flexion was limited between 50 and 60 degrees. This meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating from that date.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine (back disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 21, 2022
- Citation
- 22065006
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 22065006.
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.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred or aggravated in active service and denied service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's right hip disability is granted with a 70% rating, effective July 11, 2019.,His back disability is rated at 70%, and he also receives separate ratings for his right hip flail joint (80%).,Special monthly compensation (SMC) was granted from August 16, 2016, to July 21, 2020, and again from October 1, 2021, to August 10, 2022.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the nature and severity of his back disability and ED. The TDIU claim is also remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is granted. The claims of service connection for right knee, bilateral hips, and bilateral shoulders disorders are remanded.
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