The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) is granted, effective from July 23, 2014. The claims of service connection for right and left knee disorders are reopened, but the issues of service connection for other conditions remain pending.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD was shown to have limitations that warranted a 40% disability rating throughout the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- Spina Bifida, T12 Fracture, Mid-Sacroiliac Joint Trauma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20073159
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,699 · Granted: 17% (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 20073159.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Denied
The Board denied the claim as there is no evidence of spina bifida in the appellant's medical records, and her symptoms are better explained by other conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted the appellant's appeal to restore benefits for spina bifida, finding that the AOJ did not meet its burden of proof in severing the benefits.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran was born with spina bifida or spina bifida occulta, and if so, whether he has residuals from either condition.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.
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