The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis with degenerative disc disease is rated at 20 percent, the highest possible rating under VA guidelines. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss or other criteria.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran’s disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating as defined by the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, specifically due to lack of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, favorable or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine spondylosis with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20065184
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,500 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20065184.
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: Partly granted
The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection for his acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with limitation of extension and flexion, as well as right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The lumbar spine spondylosis with degenerative disc disease claim is granted with a rating of 20 percent effective July 7, 2015.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination, potential unemployability, and worsening of his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for neurogenic bladder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his symptoms and their impact on employment.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU from June 13, 2017 through September 30, 2019 remains granted. However, a final decision cannot be rendered at this time as it is inextricably intertwined with the issue of a higher disability rating for neurogenic bladder.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU from October 1, 2019 is being remanded due to the need for an extraschedular evaluation based on individual unemployability.
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