The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to limitations in range of motion and functional loss.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to limitations in range of motion and functional loss.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran’s lumbar spine condition results in painful motion and limitation of range of motion, with flare-ups limiting activity for no more than two weeks during a calendar year. However, it does not meet the criteria for ankylosis or other specific rating criteria.,The evidence shows that the Veteran's cervical spine disability manifests with symptoms including pain and popping, but without limitations in range of motion equivalent to forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylolisthesis at L5, S1, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, degenerative joint disease of the right ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20045652
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 20045652.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including various musculoskeletal conditions and mental health disorders.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and radiculopathy affecting both upper and lower extremities, while dismissing the claim for cervicogenic headaches.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for generalized seizure disorder, chronic sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, and scars, but granted increased ratings of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease in the left and right ankles.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, have resulted in a combined rating of 60 percent as of March 15, 2019. The Board has granted an earlier effective date for TDIU to this point.
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