The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with no evidence of ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for her back disability.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability has also been rated based on limitation of motion. She is not entitled to a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, which does not allow for an increased rating due to lack of evidence of ankylosis or IVDS. The Veteran's disability is already rated at the maximum available.,Similarly, her cervical spine disability has also been evaluated based on limitation of motion. She is not entitled to a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of Left Hand (Median Nerve Impairment), Arthritis of Right Hand (Median Nerve Impairment), Degenerative Arthritis of Cervical Spine, Degenerative Arthritis of Lumbar Spine, Left Index Finger Disability with Painful Motion, Left Little Finger Disability with Painful Motion, Left Long Finger Disability with Painful Motion, Left Ring Finger Disability with Painful Motion, Right Index Finger Disability with Painful Motion, Right Little Finger Disability with Painful Motion, Right Long Finger Disability with Painful Motion, Right Ring Finger Disability with Painful Motion
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 27, 2019
- Citation
- 19123270
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,092 · Granted: 42% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19123270.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU due to procedural errors in the duty to assist.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee replacements, as well as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, were denied. The evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected regional myofascial pain syndrome associated with degenerative arthritis of cervical spine and regional myofascial pain syndrome with residual shooting pain in the left hand, spasm and hand closure previously rated as radiculopathy LUE is restored to 30 percent effective April 1, 2018. The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are remanded due to inadequate VA examination.
- Denied
The Veteran's right thumb and hand conditions were denied initial compensable ratings.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was dismissed as it has been granted in full.
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