The Veteran's lumbar DJD has been rated at 10 percent since the initial grant of service connection. The current examination findings do not warrant a higher rating as his range of motion is within the criteria for a 10 percent disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic code, including those pertaining to IVDS and ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative joint disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 15, 2014
- Citation
- 1436691
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 1436691.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an increased rating of 40 percent for lumbar degenerative joint disease but remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected back disability was granted a 40 percent evaluation, but no higher, for the entire period on appeal.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of meningitis, increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy, and sleep apnea have been denied. The Board has also remanded several other issues related to the Veteran's disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened. The Board finds that a remand is warranted to obtain missing STRs and private treatment records, as well as to schedule VA examinations for the left upper and lower extremity radiculopathy and cervical and lumbar disabilities.
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