The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The veteran's traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine was manifested by slight limitation of motion without muscle spasm or neurological involvement and did not result in less than 85 degrees forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine, which is required for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 31, 2006
- Citation
- 0627627
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 0627627.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities, and for increased ratings for PTSD, traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine; residuals right knee injury; right inguinal hernia; fracture of the left index finger; and tinea versicolor.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a higher 40 percent rating for his low back disability, based on the results of range-of-motion testing by a private physician.
- Partly granted
The veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent, and service connection for PTSD was granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is remanded to obtain a medical examination to determine the extent and severity of the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.
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