The Board granted a 20 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine prior to November 1, 2010 and denied any higher ratings. The Veteran's left shoulder, right knee instability, and left knee instability were also rated at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found that the Veteran had limited range of motion in his lumbar spine, with flexion limited to between 30 and 60 degrees throughout the appeal period. The Board applied the criteria for a 20 percent rating based on limitation of motion due to pain.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Thoracolumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 4, 2021
- Citation
- 21027118
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 21027118.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, and TMJ with osteomyelitis are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The cases will be returned for additional development.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right knee and left knee conditions, hearing loss, tinnitus, and back issues, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from September 25, 2017, to January 14, 2020. The Board granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU based on these disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability and TDIU prior to July 13, 2012 is being remanded due to the need for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether his lumbar spine limitations constitute the functional equivalent of ankylosis, including during flare-ups and/or after repeated use over time.
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