The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that his range of motion testing showed thoracolumbar forward flexion functionally greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.
The deciding factor: The VA examination findings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes due to the Veteran's limited range of motion and lack of incapacitating episodes over the past 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral spondylosis with spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20049555
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 20049555.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to incomplete development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability, and consider whether referral for extra-schedular consideration is warranted.
- Denied
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at L5-S1 is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and his claim for an increased rating has been denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The case is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the current nature of the veteran's claimed right wrist, thoracic spine, and lumbar spine disabilities. The RO will also adjudicate the issues of service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.
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