The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with pain and radiculopathy was denied. His current combined disability rating is 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's mild degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with pain and radiculopathy did not result in unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with pain and radiculopathy, retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee, duodenitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 17, 2010
- Citation
- 1022537
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 1022537.
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 rating of 60 percent from January 27, 2016 to July 7, 2022 for the Veteran's duodenal ulcer, duodenitis, gastritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal condition and entitlement to TDIU due to missing or destroyed service treatment records, requiring additional development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a gastrointestinal disorder, including a hiatal hernia, to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed conditions.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for gastritis and duodenitis as secondary to in-service and continuing NSAID use for the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine condition.
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.