The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with anterolisthesis was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His right ankle disability received an initial 20% rating, but this was remanded due to further development being needed.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's back condition did not demonstrate forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine that was 30 degrees or less or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, which are required for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disc disease with anterolisthesis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 3, 2021
- Citation
- 21011951
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 21011951.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease with anterolisthesis and right ankle degenerative joint disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and right ankle disabilities, and therefore remands these matters for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and right ankle disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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