The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine to include DJD with disc prolapse was denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a migraine condition prior to May 25, 2015, and in excess of 30 percent from May 25, 2015 to April 7, 2016 was also denied.,The Veteran's back condition did not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating as his forward flexion of the lumbar spine was more than 30 degrees and he did not have any associated objective neurologic conditions warranting a separate evaluation. The Veteran's migraine condition met the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating prior to May 25, 2015, but did not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating from May 25, 2015 to April 7, 2016.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's back condition did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as his forward flexion of the lumbar spine was more than 30 degrees and he did not have any associated objective neurologic conditions warranting a separate evaluation. The Veteran's migraine condition met the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating prior to May 25, 2015, but did not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating from May 25, 2015 to April 7, 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the spine, Migraine condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 21, 2018
- Citation
- 1810721
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 1810721.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 50 percent effective February 13, 2021. His left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 80 percent from April 21, 2013 to February 12, 2021. The Veteran's TDIU claim has an earlier effective date of April 21, 2013.
- Granted
The Veteran's back condition is granted an increased disability rating of 40 percent, but no higher. The claims for service connection for LLE and RLE radiculopathies are remanded.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities on a direct basis, finding that these conditions began during active service.
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