The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5010. The Veteran's tension headaches do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability has been evaluated as degenerative arthritis with limitation of motion and does not warrant an increased rating based on incapacitating episodes or other diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 6, 2009
- Citation
- 0942387
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 0942387.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Board requests a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of his lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and status post laminectomy scar during the period from February 22, 2012, to October 25, 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent from March 19, 2012 to August 12, 2015. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and after it is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the failure to provide adequate VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional supporting evidence.
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