The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from August 16, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to this date.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees and without muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour, which is consistent with a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 4, 2018
- Citation
- 1800473
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 1800473.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective VA medical opinion and clarifying the loss of range of motion due to repetitive use over time and flare-ups.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and clarification of the medical opinion from September 2020.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.,The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.,The Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative joint and disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.,The Veteran's posttraumatic tension headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.
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