The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and chronic headaches have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under the applicable rating schedule.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence of record, including VA examination reports, does not demonstrate that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are more severe than what is currently reflected in the assigned ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 3, 2015
- Citation
- 1546550
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 1546550.
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 an earlier effective date are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Board requests a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of his lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and status post laminectomy scar during the period from February 22, 2012, to October 25, 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent from March 19, 2012 to August 12, 2015. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and after it is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the failure to provide adequate VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional supporting evidence.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.