The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, effective from February 27, 2019. The claim for a higher evaluation prior to that date has been denied.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not show forward flexion greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees or muscle spasms, guarding, or localized tenderness resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 3, 2020
- Citation
- 20000536
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, but denied higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine as secondary to achilles tendinopathy of the left foot.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine was dismissed due to an untimely Notice of Disagreement.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of June 1, 2008, for the award of service connection for recurrent subluxation of the right knee and January 11, 2021, for a 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, while denying an initial compensable rating for right knee surgical scars.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.