The veteran's service-connected low back disability, characterized by DJD, spondylolisthesis, and disk space narrowing at L5-S1, is rated at 60 percent. The Board also granted TDIU based on the severity of his disability.
The deciding factor: The veteran's severe degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine with spondylolisthesis and disk space narrowing at L5-S1 resulted in marked loss of function, warranting a 60 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5293.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine, Spondylolisthesis at L5-S1, Disk space narrowing at L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- November 21, 2005
- Citation
- 0531525
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 0531525.
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.
- 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.
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