The Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, effective July 5, 2011. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,For the period prior to July 12, 2016, the Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated at 10 percent and his right ankle disability has been rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not involve unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. For the period prior to July 12, 2016, his left and right ankle disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each due to moderate limitation of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Lumbar Spine, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Left Ankle, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Right Ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 28, 2017
- Citation
- 1706058
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1706058.
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 denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for the right ankle disability prior to September 1, 2020, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, as well as total disability due to individual unemployability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine DJD is denied. He currently receives a 40 percent disability rating, effective November 7, 2023.,The Veteran's sciatic radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are each rated at 40 percent disabling, effective November 7, 2023.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right ankle scar and DJD were evaluated, with the scar rated at 0 percent and the DJD rated at 10 percent. The Board denied a higher rating for both conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine DJD is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, nor favorable ankylosis.
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