The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence of favorable or unfavorable ankylosis, limited range of motion, or incapacitating episodes. The current 20% evaluation adequately reflects the severity of the disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on ankylosis, limitation of motion, or incapacitating episodes as defined by VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc and Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 6, 2014
- Citation
- 1444330
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 1444330.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and nerve damage to the right leg are all rated based on their direct service connection. The initial ratings for PTSD (70%) and lumbar spine disability (20%) have been granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been granted. Effective dates are assigned based on the date of receipt of his claims.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 20 percent rating for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine. The other claims are pending further development.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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