The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis was rated at 20 percent prior to December 1, 2010. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran’s forward flexion of the lumbar spine was limited to 55 degrees, which is in alignment with the existing 20 percent rating prior to December 1, 2010. There was no evidence of favorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20055075
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 20055075.
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: Granted
Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,An increased rating of 30 percent, but no higher, is granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) from February 1, 2020.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for lumbar spine spondylosis was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.,Service connection for cervical spine disability, left foot disability (hallux valgus), GERD, headache disability, and hypertension were all denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating of lumbar spine spondylosis was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, right hip degenerative arthritis, and right knee condition as secondary to his service-connected depression.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine spondylosis as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with degenerative arthritis, and also granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the degenerative joint disease from April 18, 2024.
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