The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted in June 2012 with an initial 40% rating effective March 24, 2005 and a 20% rating effective August 20, 2009. The Board found that from August 20, 2009, the Veteran's disability did not warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed that from August 20, 2009, the Veteran had forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 40 degrees with pain starting at 40 degrees and extension to 20 degrees with reported pain at 20 degrees. These findings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 18, 2018
- Citation
- 1803344
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 1803344.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's right ankle fracture residuals are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine and right knee disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.
- Denied
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylosis was rated at 20 percent prior to October 23, 2012 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied, and the claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities was also denied. The Board found that while the Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to work, they did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.
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