The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has not met the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.,The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia has been manifested by persistently recurring epigastric distress, pyrosis (heartburn), reflux, regurgitation, and nausea. However, it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating as there is no evidence of dysphagia, substernal pain or pain in the arm/shoulder, weight loss, hematemesis, melena, or anemia.,The Veteran's psoriasis has not covered more than five percent of his entire body and less than five percent of exposed areas. Therefore, it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine did not show forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees; or, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour. The disability is rated as 10 percent disabling.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 6, 2016
- Citation
- 1626850
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 1626850.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine was granted with effective dates of May 13, 2019.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was diagnosed during service and has continued since then. The Board granted service connection for this condition based on continuity of symptomatology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examinations and the need for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, is related to service and granted service connection for this condition.
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