The Board has determined that a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is warranted, effective March 30, 2010. The current rating of 40% reflects the severity of his symptoms, which have not resulted in unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports and medical history provided sufficient evidence to conclude that a higher rating was warranted based on the Veteran's ongoing orthopedic symptoms without any associated neurologic impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 14, 2012
- Citation
- 1231696
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1231696.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is being remanded due to a failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination in connection with her claim. The Board finds that this was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and requires rescheduling of the examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of August 7, 2023 for the grant of service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease and Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (also claimed as a back condition), and bilateral lower extremity sciatic neuropathy.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied increased evaluations. The TDIU claim was also denied prior to August 20, 2013.
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