The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to May 4, 2012 was denied as the evidence did not show residuals of a vertebral fracture without cord involvement, unfavorable ankylosis of the dorsal spine, favorable ankylosis of the lumbar spine, limitation of motion in the lumbar spine that is 'severe' in nature, or intervertebral disc syndrome that is severe in nature with recurring attacks and only intermittent relief. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was not addressed as it arose from a disagreement with the initial evaluation following the grant of service connection.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under either the current or preamended criteria for musculoskeletal disorders to the spine, including the amended general rating formula that applies to most spine disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 24, 2012
- Citation
- 1232844
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 1232844.
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 Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine was granted with effective dates of May 13, 2019.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was diagnosed during service and has continued since then. The Board granted service connection for this condition based on continuity of symptomatology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examinations and the need for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, is related to service and granted service connection for this condition.
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