The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent. For the initial rating period from October 7, 2004, his radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities has resulted in disability approximating mild incomplete paralysis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis does not result in limitation of forward thoracolumbar flexion to 30 degrees or less; favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine; or intervertebral disc syndrome with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least four weeks but less than six weeks during the past 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 8, 2009
- Citation
- 0946437
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 0946437.
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
Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,An increased rating of 30 percent, but no higher, is granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) from February 1, 2020.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for lumbar spine spondylosis was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.,Service connection for cervical spine disability, left foot disability (hallux valgus), GERD, headache disability, and hypertension were all denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating of lumbar spine spondylosis was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, right hip degenerative arthritis, and right knee condition as secondary to his service-connected depression.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine spondylosis as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with degenerative arthritis, and also granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the degenerative joint disease from April 18, 2024.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.