The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease resulted in unfavorable ankylosis involving the entire spine, with difficulty walking due to limited line of vision and restricted mouth opening. The cervical spine degenerative joint disease manifested as unfavorable ankylosis.,Prior to August 17, 2009, the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease was rated at 40 percent effective August 17, 2009.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's thoracolumbar and cervical spine degenerative joint diseases resulted in unfavorable ankylosis, warranting a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of Thoracolumbar Spine, Degenerative Joint Disease of Cervical Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 8, 2015
- Citation
- 1529247
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 1529247.
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.
- Granted
The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is granted.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for depression is granted.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative joint disease, cervical spine is granted.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar spine is granted.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is denied.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (which includes PTSD and depression) is granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine is denied as his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Granted
The Veteran's rating for degenerative joint disease of cervical spine was reduced from 30 percent to 20 percent in September 2016. The reduction did not result in a reduction in his overall compensation rate, so the restoration of the 30 percent rating is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's spine disability and radiculopathy were granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for the entire appeal period.
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