The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. The current 20% rating is upheld as the evidence does not show that the Veteran's condition warrants an increase in rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examination results did not demonstrate any additional limitation of motion or functional impairment that would warrant a higher rating, and there were no findings of intervertebral disc syndrome or incapacitating episodes during the past 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20068090
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and chronic sinusitis. However, it granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's GERD was granted a 60 percent disability rating, and the June 15, 2020 VA Form 10182 for service connection claims was accepted as timely due to good cause shown.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, sleep apnea, and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability from September 4, 2013 to February 23, 2014.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her lumbar spine disability is denied. Her current 40% evaluation remains in effect, effective October 21, 2019.
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