The Veteran's increased rating claims for lumbosacral DDD and DJD, as well as his TDIU claim, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula or IVDS Rating Formula.
The deciding factor: The VA examination findings and medical opinions did not show muscle spasms or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or spinal contour, nor did they demonstrate limitation of motion sufficient to warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral degenerative disc disease (DDD), degenerative joint disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 17, 2020
- Citation
- 20079921
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 20079921.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial ratings of her left shoulder strain and cervical spine disability due to new evidence or further clarification from the AOJ.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active service.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, DJD, from December 17, 1997 to June 3, 2022, and the effective date for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was also set at December 17, 1997. However, a higher rating or TDIU was denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal regarding severance of service connection for right and left lower sciatic radiculopathy and an increased rating for lumbosacral DDD during a hearing, and these issues are dismissed.
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