The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on the evidence of record.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not demonstrate forward flexion to 60 degrees or less, or a combined range of motion to 120 degrees or less, throughout the appeal period. The Veteran's disability picture is more closely approximated by the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation under the General Rating Formula.
- Claimed conditions
- Compression fractures of thoracolumbar spine, Degenerative joint disease of thoracolumbar spine, Degenerative joint disease of thoracolumbar spine/lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 17, 2023
- Citation
- 23002629
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 23002629.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of limitation of motion or ankylosis.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine strain with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and also does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back, left hip, and right hip conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for degenerative joint disease affecting areas other than the thoracolumbar spine and bilateral hips is also denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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