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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21011951.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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