The veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine has been rated at 20 percent, as it is manifested by an abnormal gait during flare-ups but does not meet criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the presence of an abnormal gait during flare-ups, which supports a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, but no evidence of incapacitating episodes or other factors warranting a higher rating were found.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 29, 2008
- Citation
- 0814062
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine. The rating for the Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right wrist/arm was restored to 20 percent effective June 1, 2024.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve involvement and remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded all issues to address a duty-to-assist error and locate missing private treatment records.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a sleep disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support the claim.
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.