The Veteran's thoracolumbar post-traumatic arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's TMJ is currently rated at 10 percent without dietary restrictions to soft or semi-solid foods. The Board found no basis for an increased rating.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not show that the Veteran's thoracolumbar post-traumatic arthritis or TMJ meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar Post-Traumatic Arthritis, TMJ Dysfunction, Right Eye Pterygium
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 12, 2024
- Citation
- A24082928
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 A24082928.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's right eye pterygium resulted in decreased visual acuity and was not disfiguring. A 10 percent rating has been granted for the period prior to October 31, 2017.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete examinations and missing records. The Veteran's right foot disability, TMJ dysfunction, hypothyroidism, and TBI are all under review.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip disability and TMJ dysfunction, finding new and material evidence. However, it determined that there is no current diagnosis or link to military service for either condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TMJ dysfunction were denied. The Board found that the current evaluations of 10 percent are appropriate based on the evidence, including VA examinations conducted in February 2007, March 2009, December 2012, and private audiometric evaluation in April 2007.
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