The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied, with a rating of 20% prior to June 5, 2018, and 40% thereafter. The Veteran also received an initial 20% rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity prior to June 5, 2018, but was denied a higher rating after that date.,The Board found no basis for increased ratings for either condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20% prior to June 5, 2018, or in excess of 40% thereafter. The radiculopathy of the left lower extremity met the criteria for a 20% rating prior to June 5, 2018.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbosacral Spine, Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 25, 2018
- Citation
- 18137954
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 18137954.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for discontinuance of TDIU, reduction of disability rating for acquired psychiatric disorder, and reduction of disability rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to lack of response from the Veteran within the required timeframe.
- Denied
The Board found that the evidence did not show an actual improvement in the Veteran's conditions, and thus denied the reduction requests for his service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are also granted.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD, a TDIU prior to July 13, 2019, and increased ratings for the lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.
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