The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 20 percent prior to March 14, 2016 and is now denied for a higher rating.,Since March 14, 2016, the Veteran's condition has been rated at 40 percent. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examination results did not show that the Veteran had forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less nor did this examination show that the Veteran’s spine exhibited any signs of ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint and Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20043846
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 20043846.
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: Denied
PTSD, a back condition, and flat feet were not granted service connection prior to October 22, 2008.,The Veteran's claims for these conditions were submitted after the one-year period following separation from active duty.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40% rating for the period prior to November 20, 2010. For the period on appeal, his claim for an increased rating was denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for further evaluation due to the potential need for surgical intervention.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the sciatic nerves was denied. The RO assigned a 20 percent rating for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine with lumbosacral strain, but denied increased ratings for radiculopathy.
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