The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine was found to not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 17, 2017 and not exceed 20 percent from that date. The evidence did not support higher ratings based on functional loss or other factors.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's forward flexion was found to be at least 80 degrees with a combined range of motion of 180 degrees, which met the criteria for a 10 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. From April 17, 2017, her forward flexion was found to be at least 60 degrees with a combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees, which met the criteria for a 10 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20039046
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20039046.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his DJD of the thoracolumbar spine is being remanded due to a need for additional medical opinion regarding the functional impairment associated with his condition, without considering the beneficial effects of medication.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher rating for DJD of the right hip with limitation of rotation and adduction, and higher ratings for DJD of the thoracolumbar spine.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, particularly private treatment records from 2006 to 2017.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with her education and work experience prior to October 9, 2019.
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