The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective March 1, 2016. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence does not support an increase in his disability level.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not demonstrate that the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability warranted a higher rating based on its current severity and functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) and Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20080657
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
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.