The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that his disability was consistent with no higher than a 20 percent disabling rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less, or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, which would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (low back disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19164993
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,726 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19164993.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, is considered to have originated during his active service and continues today. The Board has therefore granted service connection for this condition.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims for headaches and gastrointestinal issues were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder due to inadequate medical opinions.
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