The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbosacral spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 20 percent prior to June 1, 2010 and 40 percent thereafter.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed limited range of motion with forward flexion up to 30 degrees from June 1, 2010 onwards, which did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19148486
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy, as the record does not include all relevant treatment records prior to back surgery.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, including degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, spondylolisthesis, and compression fracture at L2, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.
- Granted
The Board granted an increased disability rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease as secondary to service-connected knee disabilities due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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