The Veteran's lumbosacral DJD was found to have a combined range of motion of 220 degrees, with forward flexion limited to 70 degrees. The current disability rating of 10 percent is maintained prior to February 11, 2011 and the current rating of 20 percent thereafter.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbosacral DJD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not demonstrate forward flexion limited to 60 degrees or less, combined range of motion limited to 120 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or spinal contour.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 22, 2018
- Citation
- 1811647
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 1811647.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The claim for a temporary total evaluation based on spinal fusion surgery of the L4-S1 vertebrae is granted. The issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD, lumbosacral spine with S/P spine fusion of L4-S1, is remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine disability and TDIU prior to April 25, 2017 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 40% rating for DJD of the lumbosacral spine from September 30, 2019 is granted. Claims for higher ratings are denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a retrospective addendum medical opinion regarding his lumbar spine disability, and consideration of TDIU.
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