The VA determined that the veteran's traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed moderate limitation of motion and mild intervertebral disc syndrome, which did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 19, 2006
- Citation
- 0617889
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 0617889.
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. However, a separate rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity from June 29, 2017, was granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve, was granted with a 40 percent disability rating effective February 1, 2007. The appeal for earlier effective dates is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded three claims related to traumatic arthritis of the right hip, left shoulder, and lumbar spine due to inadequate examinations in the prior decision. The Veteran is required to provide updated treatment records and undergo new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine and dorsal spine were denied. The combined rating remains at 50 percent.
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