The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD had forward flexion to 60 degrees and did not manifest as unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or the entire spine. The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the condition.
The deciding factor: Forward flexion was to 60 degrees, which is above the threshold for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine (DC 5242).
- 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
- April 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19123812
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine prior to October 29, 2021, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 25, 2017.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee disabilities but granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and lower back disability due to inadequate examinations and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently being reviewed.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral DJD is rated at 20 percent for the entire period on appeal, considering his symptoms and limitations during flare-ups.
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