The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD, DDD, and lumbar discectomy was granted a disability rating of 20 percent from June 15, 2009 to August 25, 2010. The appeal is not about service connection but rather the appropriate disability rating for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran's forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees during this period, meeting the criteria for a 20 percent disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (DJD), degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbar discectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19143029
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 service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) was dismissed by the Veteran in written correspondence.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain and granted an effective date of November 5, 2007, but no earlier, for TDIU.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for right shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, and ankle disabilities based on their relationship to the Veteran's active service.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew the issue in January 2025.
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