The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sciatica of the right lower extremity, and sciatica of the left lower extremity are all rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate as there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes or ankylosis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability picture does not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or additional functional loss due to pain, weakness, and fatigue.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 10, 2021
- Citation
- 21007866
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 21007866.
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.
- Granted
The Board grants service connection for various disabilities, including degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, posterior neck scar, neurological impairments of all extremities, hypopharyngeal mucosa laceration with residual dysphagia and esophagus dysfunction, neurogenic bowel dysfunction, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction, as secondary to service-connected spinal disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case to refer it to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to October 26, 2020.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a low back condition and a bilateral foot condition, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service or any other compensable conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and respiratory disability (COPD) based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service injuries and subsequent symptoms.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.