The Veteran's DDD is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating. The appeal for increased ratings of right and left hip strains remains pending.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s range of motion in the thoracolumbar spine was found to be 30 degrees or less, which is consistent with the current 40 percent disability rating assigned under DC 5242. The Board did not find any evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or prescribed bed rest.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Kyphoscoliosis with limited motion of the dorsal spine, Right hip strain (adduction), Left hip strain (adduction)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 27, 2021
- Citation
- 21025029
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 21025029.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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 claim for service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is being remanded due to a failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination in connection with her claim. The Board finds that this was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and requires rescheduling of the examination.
- Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of August 7, 2023 for the grant of service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease and Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (also claimed as a back condition), and bilateral lower extremity sciatic neuropathy.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied increased evaluations. The TDIU claim was also denied prior to August 20, 2013.
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