The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for low back strain with degenerative joint disease was denied, and his claim for TDIU was granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed the Veteran had at least 42 degrees of forward flexion throughout the appeal period, which is above the threshold required for ankylosis (30 degrees). The Veteran's activities of daily living were not greatly impacted by his reduced thoracolumbar forward flexion.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain with degenerative joint disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 25, 2021
- Citation
- 21032087
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 21032087.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The case is remanded for additional development to ensure compliance with prior remand instructions, specifically regarding the adequacy of examinations and addressing the Veteran's TBI manifestations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for low back strain with DJD and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions and issues being intertwined.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back strain with DJD was denied, as the evidence did not show symptoms or functional impairment that resulted in unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sciatic radiculopathy affecting both lower extremities were also denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent from January 17, 2007 to February 24, 2012.
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