The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for his degenerative changes and stenosis of the lumbar spine was denied. He is currently in receipt of a 40 percent rating since February 11, 2010.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's disability did not meet or approximate criteria for ankylosis (fusion) of the lumbar spine and therefore could not be rated under DCs 5286-91. The current rating is based on moderate limitation of motion, which corresponds to a 40 percent evaluation under DC 5292.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes and stenosis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 14, 2016
- Citation
- 1628249
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 1628249.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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).
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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