The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The veteran's low back disability did not result in severe limitation of motion or other disabling symptoms that would warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 27, 2005
- Citation
- 0517477
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 0517477.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 40% rating for DJD of the lumbosacral spine from September 30, 2019 is granted. Claims for higher ratings are denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a retrospective addendum medical opinion regarding his lumbar spine disability, and consideration of TDIU.
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.