The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected chronic thoracolumbar spine strain, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The examination reports and medical records showed that the Veteran's range of motion was within the parameters of a 10% disability rating, and there were no associated neurological abnormalities or other factors warranting a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic thoracolumbar spine strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 2, 2025
- Citation
- 25012366
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 961 · Granted: 20% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 25012366.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his chronic thoracolumbar spine strain evaluation is remanded for further review.
- Denied
The Veteran's chronic thoracolumbar spine strain and lumbosacral strain have been rated at 10 percent since September 2014. The most recent VA examination found the combined range of motion to be 234 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5237.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has restored a 20% disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected chronic thoracolumbar spine strain from October 1, 2018. The case is remanded to determine an increased initial disability rating higher than 20% for the same condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his chronic thoracolumbar spine strain is being remanded due to the need for a new medical examination or opinion.
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