The Veteran's DJD of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, and symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.
The deciding factor: Symptoms have not included ankylosis or incapacitating episodes with total duration of at least six weeks in the past 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Thoracolumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 14, 2017
- Citation
- 1704408
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 1704408.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for her thoracolumbar spine DJD was denied. The right foot plantar fasciitis and bilateral plantar fasciitis were granted a 30 percent rating effective February 21, 2021. The right shoulder DJD was denied a higher rating. The cervical spine DJD prior to December 2, 2019 was granted a 20 percent rating; from that date, the claim for a higher rating was denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the thoracolumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve were evaluated as 10% and 10% respectively, with no higher ratings granted. The appeal was denied for an increased rating.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine was denied, as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for TDIU was also denied due to the Veteran’s ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for her thoracolumbar spine DJD was denied as the symptoms did not more nearly approximate the criteria for a rating higher than 40 percent.
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