The veteran's DJD of the lumbosacral spine with pain on motion and X-ray involvement of the thoracic spine was rated at 10 percent prior to October 28, 1998.,From October 28, 1998, the veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine with limitation of motion is rated at 20 percent.,The veteran's DJD of the thoracic spine remains rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The veteran's symptoms prior to October 28, 1998, were not severe enough to warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5010 and 5292. From October 28, 1998, the veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine with limitation of motion met the criteria for a 20 percent evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 11, 2000
- Citation
- 0021132
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 0021132.
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 appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The claim for a temporary total evaluation based on spinal fusion surgery of the L4-S1 vertebrae is granted. The issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD, lumbosacral spine with S/P spine fusion of L4-S1, is remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted initial ratings for DJD of the thoracic spine, right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and left knee limitation of extension, while denying higher ratings. The Veteran was also awarded SMC based on regular need for aid and attendance.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine disability and TDIU prior to April 25, 2017 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran's thoracic spine disorder, diagnosed as DJD of the lumbar spine with lumbar strain, is rated at 40 percent and not entitled to a higher rating. The appeal for an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits was also denied.
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