The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including degenerative joint disease, is not related to service or his service-connected right foot disability. The VA examiners have provided opinions ruling out a causal relationship between these conditions.
The deciding factor: VA examiners ruled out a direct causation of the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability by service and/or service-connected right foot disability based on medical literature, genetic predisposition, and lack of evidence supporting an aggravation claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (lumbar spine)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2014
- Citation
- 1453537
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 1453537.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for further evidence. The reduction of a rating from 20 percent to 10 percent for lumbar spine DJD was improper, and the 20 percent rating is restored.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to June 24, 2015. From June 24, 2015 to October 21, 2019, the rating remained at 10 percent. After October 21, 2019, a higher rating was not granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were denied ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to February 9, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease has been rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher evaluation as it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.
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