Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with mild to moderate osteoarthritis and degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine, associated with right hip impairment post stress fracture femoral neck, is not rated higher than 20 percent. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted at a 10 percent rating prior to April 29, 2015 and denied thereafter.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with mild to moderate osteoarthritis and degenerative spondylosis did not result in ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity prior to April 29, 2015 resulted in more than moderate radiculopathy.

Claimed conditions
lumbosacral strain, mild to moderate osteoarthritis and degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine, right knee strain with mild degenerative changes, limitation of flexion status post stress fracture femoral neck with mild degenerative arthritic change of the right hip, impairment of thigh status post stress fracture femoral neck with mild degenerative arthritic change of the right hip, right knee strain with mild degenerative changes associated with impairment of the right thigh
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
20%
Decision date
November 20, 2019
Citation
19187978

Veterans Law Judge

Evan M. Deichert

Decisions by this judge: 1,446 · Granted: 21% (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 19187978.

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.

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.