The Veteran's back disability is rated at 60 percent, the maximum under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or additional functional loss.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine nor additional functional loss beyond what is already accounted for in the current 60 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 18, 2016
- Citation
- 1632914
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 1632914.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder did not have its onset during service or within a year of discharge, and is not related to any in-service injury. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's back disorder is related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain missing VA treatment records and for further development, including arranging for the Veteran to undergo additional examination if appropriate.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is required to determine if the Veteran's back disability is related to service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.
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