The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease with lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran’s range of motion in his thoracolumbar spine is sufficient to warrant only a 20% rating, as he can still flex his back to 70 degrees at most recent examination and 60 degrees at prior examination. There are no findings of intervertebral disc syndrome or incapacitating episodes.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease with Lumbosacral Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20005992
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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