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Whole decision: Denied

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating in excess of 40 percent prior to November 24, 2015 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent after January 1, 2016 to November 2, 2016 was denied.,A temporary total convalescent rating under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 based on a November 2, 2016 back surgery for the period from November 2, 2016 to December 31, 2016 was granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent after January 1, 2017 has not been met.

The deciding factor: There is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine and there is no evidence of IVDS with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least six weeks during the past 12 months prior to November 24, 2015.

Claimed conditions
lumbar spine disability
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
August 4, 2020
Citation
20051627

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 20051627.

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.

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