The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 20 percent should be granted.
The deciding factor: The January 2019 VA examination showed flexion limited to 75 degrees with pain limiting function over time, which meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating under DC 5237.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19194639
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 19194639.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and depressive disorder. However, it granted a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.
- Denied
The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for DJD of the lumbar spine from February 25, 2016 to September 15, 2023 and denied a rating in excess of 40 percent from September 16, 2023.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional evidence was submitted and should be considered in the first instance. The Veteran's increased rating claims for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities are being remanded to allow for consideration of this new evidence.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD of the lumbar spine prior January 10, 2022, as the evidence did not show forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees or combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees.
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