The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied, as the evidence did not show that it met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent. The claim for TDIU was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he could not work due to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's spine disability had forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees, and the combined range of motion did not meet criteria for a higher rating. The VA examiner noted no ankylosis or IVDS.
- Claimed conditions
- L5-S1 spondylosis, grade 1 listhesis of L4 and L5
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 2, 2021
- Citation
- 21005743
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 21005743.
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 Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records from private providers and VA facilities. The specific conditions at issue are L5-S1 spondylosis and traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine, which have been rated based on their severity prior to October 27, 2020, and since that date.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.
- Denied
The Veteran's low back disability was not rated higher than 10 percent prior to March 7, 2016 and not rated higher than 40 percent after that date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected low back disability and obtaining updated treatment records.
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