The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), finding that his forward flexion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports showed that the Veteran’s forward flexion was at least 30 degrees, which is within the range required for a 20 percent disability rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 8, 2026
- Citation
- A26001922
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26001922.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right shoulder, left shoulder, and thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in August 2021. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these conditions prior to decision.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine IVDS and degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, femoral radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and PTSD with dysthymia have been granted. The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine IVDS and degenerative arthritis are rated at 40 percent from March 17, 2020.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for tension headaches and a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine IVDS, finding that the evidence did not support granting either claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the onset of lower extremity radiculopathy and service connection for OSA. The initial rating claims are also remanded.
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