The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine condition was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating under the old criteria. The TDIU claim is also remanded as the Veteran has not met the schedular criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent, which requires forward flexion to 30 degrees or less. The Veteran's job with the United States Postal Service exacerbated his back condition and made it difficult for him to perform his duties.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 7, 2021
- Citation
- 21073179
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 21073179.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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 an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis is remanded due to inadequate examination report.
- Granted
The reduction of the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disability ratings from 40% to 20% was improper, and the prior ratings are restored.
- Denied
The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating has been denied. The Board also found that TDIU was granted as of January 16, 2010, but not earlier.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and chronic sinusitis. However, it granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy.
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