The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating after November 5, 2014, was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show forward flexion to be greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or, the combined range of motion to be not greater than 120 degrees after November 5, 2014.
- 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
- December 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19193244
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 19193244.
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 service-connected degenerative joint disease rendered him so helpless as to require the aid and attendance of another individual, warranting an award of special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and service connection for sleep apnea, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the prior rating decisions and no evidence linking the sleep apnea to service or a service-connected disability.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but remanded other claims related to obstructive sleep apnea, bladder condition, left knee disability, degenerative disc disease, bilateral hearing loss, and right shoulder disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case for further development, including an examination to address potential neurological symptoms related to the Veteran's service-connected back condition.
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