The Veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbar spine did not result in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), or objective neurological abnormalities prior to July 10, 2014. As a result, the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine prior to that date was denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine as there were no findings of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), or objective neurological abnormalities.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 3, 2017
- Citation
- 1731303
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 1731303.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that the VA examination and opinion were inadequate as they did not consider the Veteran's complete medical history. The case is now to be reviewed with an addendum VA opinion.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Board Appeal request was not timely filed with respect to the June 14, 2023 rating decision that decreased the rating for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine to 20 percent effective September 1, 2023.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, but remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and increased the disability rating for the lumbar spine to 20 percent effective August 18, 2023.
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