The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The RO assigned a 20% rating effective from June 3, 2004.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran met the criteria for a higher disability rating under either the old or revised VA rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint disease of lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 28, 2009
- Citation
- 0915949
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 0915949.
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 decided to remand the claims for additional development due to the need for medical opinions regarding potential radiation exposure and its impact on various disabilities. The claims will be reconsidered based on this new information.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder NOS, depressive disorder NOS, alcohol abuse, and PTSD are granted. The service connection for degenerative joint disease of lumbar spine is remanded.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of lumbar spine, syncope, meningioma, numbness of the head, numbness right upper extremity, numbness left upper extremity, and depression due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.,VA is required to provide a VA examination or medical opinion in regard to the Veteran's claimed conditions as part of its duty to assist.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including spondylolysis and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, do not render him unemployable due to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
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