The Veteran's degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at a maximum of 40 percent, effective from February 2015 when service connection was established.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed forward flexion limited to 20 degrees with significant pain, which corresponds to a 40 percent rating under DC 5242. Ankylosis or functional ankylosis was not shown.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21030627
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 21030627.
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 lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from November 23, 2010 to February 25, 2011. The case is remanded for further development.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine strain are denied as the claimant failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the right hip are granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee and left hip disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability, service connection for hypertension and Parkinson's disease, and TDIU. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent.
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