The Board finds that the reduction of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability rating from 30% to 20% effective December 1, 2008 was proper. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU are granted.
The deciding factor: The July 2015 rating decision found clear and unmistakable errors in previous rating decisions and re-rated the Veteran's lumbar spine disability based on updated evidence of record showing improvement.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease with associated compression fractures, Scheuermann's disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 22, 2016
- Citation
- 1625138
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1625138.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 Board has granted service connection for the appellant's thoracolumbar spine disability and Scheuermann's disease, finding that these conditions were caused or aggravated by events during his active-duty military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spinal fusion, finding that his pre-existing Scheuermann's disease was aggravated by service. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the TDIU issue due to a lack of an updated VA examination and incomplete employment information. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his recently granted back-related bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, are being evaluated for their impact on his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected Scheuermann's disease is being remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination. The address provided by the Veteran was incorrect, and he failed to report for the scheduled examination.
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