The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine has been rated at 40 percent since April 26, 2012. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of her disability based on the criteria for evaluating diseases and injuries of the spine.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's most recent VA examination in February 2014 showed forward flexion limited to no worse than 25 degrees with pain, without any spinal ankylosis or IVDS. These findings are consistent with a 40 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 25, 2015
- Citation
- 1549822
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 1549822.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The claim for a temporary total evaluation based on spinal fusion surgery of the L4-S1 vertebrae is granted. The issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD, lumbosacral spine with S/P spine fusion of L4-S1, is remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine disability and TDIU prior to April 25, 2017 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 40% rating for DJD of the lumbosacral spine from September 30, 2019 is granted. Claims for higher ratings are denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a retrospective addendum medical opinion regarding his lumbar spine disability, and consideration of TDIU.
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