The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, which is required for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of motion in his thoracolumbar spine was limited but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating due to the absence of unfavorable ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease, Levoscoliosis (low back disability), Left lower extremity radiculopathy with femoral nerve involvement, Right lower extremity radiculopathy with femoral nerve impairment
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19147577
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,547 · Granted: 20% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19147577.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from February 11, 2019. He also received increased ratings for his radiculopathy in the right and left lower extremities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for low back disorder was denied prior to March 25, 2019.,From March 25, 2019 onwards, the Veteran is entitled to a 40 percent rating for his service-connected low back disorder.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder strain, right wrist injury and associated residuals, and service connection for left sciatica. The Veteran's complaints of functional loss will be considered during the remand process.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy with sciatic nerve involvement and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy with femoral nerve involvement, finding that each condition warranted a 20 percent rating.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.