The Veteran's ankylosing spondylitis with lumbar spinal stenosis (also claimed as arthritis) has not been productive of unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months, and thus he is not entitled to a higher initial evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spinal stenosis does not meet the criteria for an increased rating as it has not resulted in unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of at least 6 weeks duration during the past 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- ankylosing spondylitis with lumbar spinal stenosis (also claimed as arthritis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- November 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19184971
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
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