The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no ankylosis or limitation of motion to 30 degrees or less.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative disc disease did not result in unfavorable ankylosis or limitation of motion to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21003515
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 21003515.
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 claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and hypertension are all being reviewed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The case is remanded to obtain outstanding private medical treatment records and reschedule a VA examination for the Veteran's back disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and lumbosacral strain are found to be at least as likely as not related to his in-service back injury, leading to the grant of service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD of the thoracolumbar spine and peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve are being remanded due to insufficient examination findings. The case will be returned for further evaluation.
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