The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was previously rated at 10 percent, but a September 2018 rating decision granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective June 6, 2018.,From August 1, 2017 onward, the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was rated at 20 percent until his death on June 6, 2018. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.,The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent after June 6, 2018.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was rated at 20 percent effective June 6, 2018 based on his forward flexion being no worse than 45 degrees and without ankylosis. The Board denied a higher rating as there were no incapacitating episodes or objective neurological abnormalities.
- Claimed conditions
- osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19154309
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 19154309.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims on appeal, including obtaining any outstanding treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's representative also requested reevaluation of his service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, sleep disturbances, a right knee disability, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, allergic rhinitis, and patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis in the left knee. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The Board found that there was no evidence to support direct service connection but established continuity and chronicity under VA regulations.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection, finding no persuasive evidence that the criteria for increased evaluations were met prior to the respective claim or examination dates.
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