The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the lumbosacral spine and impairment of the sciatic nerve are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The most recent VA examination in February 2017 did not indicate any additional symptomatology warranting a higher evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine, Impairment of the sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18139380
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 18139380.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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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