The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease lumbar spine, finding that his condition is manifested by chronic pain but with no limitation of motion or functional loss and no persuasive, objective evidence of neurological abnormalities.
The deciding factor: The most probative evidence reveals the Veteran’s degenerative joint disease lumbar spine is manifested by chronic pain but with no limitation of motion or functional loss, and no persuasive, objective evidence of neurological abnormalities.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 3, 2020
- Citation
- 20058380
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 20058380.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated based on their current severity.,The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome knee conditions have not resulted in a rating higher than the assigned.
- Dismissed
The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative joint disease lumbar spine. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.
- Granted
The veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent from March 26, 2003 to March 30, 2008 and increased to 20 percent effective March 31, 2008.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.