The Veteran's rhomboid muscle strain of the left side, including his chronic thoracic strain, was rated at 40 percent effective March 15, 2012.
The deciding factor: The VA examination confirmed that the Veteran's condition manifested as severe and warranted a 40% rating under DC 5320 for muscle injuries of Group XX.
- Claimed conditions
- rhomboid muscle strain of the left side, chronic thoracic strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 27, 2023
- Citation
- 23041389
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 23041389.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection was dismissed as he did not submit a valid Notice of Disagreement or new and material evidence regarding the effective date.
- Denied
The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with chronic thoracic strain, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for chronic thoracic strain was denied. A separate disability rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted effective November 13, 2018.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back conditions and their relationship to service. The Veteran contends his current back conditions are related to an in-service injury, but VA records do not support this claim.
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