The veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine does not cause any limitation of motion.,The veteran has been granted the maximum schedular rating available for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, and thus an increased rating claim must be denied based on a lack of entitlement under the law.,The veteran's spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine have also been granted the maximum schedular rating available, resulting in a denial of his increased rating claim for this condition.,There is no competent medical evidence indicating that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is related to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disorder.,The combined disability rating of 70 percent assigned from June 19, 1997 was correctly calculated by the M&ROC using the combined ratings table.,The criteria for a total rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities have been met.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of any limitation of motion in the veteran's thoracic spine, warranting a noncompensable rating under DC 5291.,The maximum schedular ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine have already been granted, thus any increased rating claim must be denied based on a lack of entitlement under the law.,There is no competent medical evidence indicating that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disorder.,The combined disability rating was correctly calculated using the combined ratings table.,The criteria for a total rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities have been met.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 27, 2001
- Citation
- 0105837
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 0105837.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.
- Granted
The Veteran's right ear hearing loss, cervical strain, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine have been granted service connection. The claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities, as well as the relationship between his current conditions and military service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.