The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to October 17, 2019 and is now denied for a rating in excess of that level.,Since October 17, 2019, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 20 percent and remains denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show evidence of lost range of motion or ankylosis sufficient to warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, left hip osteoarthritis with trochanteric bursitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 6, 2021
- Citation
- 21000858
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 21000858.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted based on his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The SMC housebound and aid and attendance claims are denied due to lack of evidence showing the need for regular aid and assistance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, and acute sinusitis s/p septoplasty due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as special monthly compensation and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection for both a back disability and a psychiatric disability, finding no clear and unmistakable error in prior rating decisions.
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