The Veteran's degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine is currently rated at 60 percent effective August 14, 2012. The Board finds that the Veteran's disability meets the criteria for a 60 percent rating but not higher due to flare-ups resulting in incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months. The claim is remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine resulted in incapacitating episodes with a total duration of at least 6 weeks over the past 12 months due to flare-ups.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Arthritis of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- December 13, 2021
- Citation
- 21073996
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 21073996.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the July 2019 rating decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathies of both lower extremities have been granted, with effective dates from December 3, 2020, to October 7, 2024.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus are granted service connection, while anxiety is denied. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome do not meet the criteria for service connection.,Service connection for left elbow tendinitis is remanded due to lack of evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran is not eligible for PCAFC benefits due to a lack of personal care services and supervision. The decision will be remanded to allow for further review by VA.
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