The veteran's back disability was evaluated, and the Board found that a rating in excess of 20 percent was not warranted.
The deciding factor: The veteran's range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, and there were no other factors to support an increased evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 5, 2009
- Citation
- 0900242
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.
- Granted
The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's low back disorder, effective March 31, 2019.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to service, and thus granted his claim for service connection.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed all claims for increased ratings as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision being made.
- Partly granted
The Board granted reopening of a previously denied headaches claim based on new and material evidence, but denied service connection for headaches, neck condition, and diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence establishing nexus to military service. The Board remanded claims for lumbosacral spine disability rating, sleep apnea, depression/anxiety, and TDIU for further examination and development.
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.