The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating and entitlement to TDIU, as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating based on the criteria provided.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating due to limited range of motion and occasional incapacitating episodes, but these symptoms were not severe enough to warrant a higher rating under the applicable regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 7, 2022
- Citation
- 22001006
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 Board remands the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and ensuring substantial compliance with previous remand directives.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy but denied increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS, a scar associated with it, and dismissed claims for other conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) due to a need for additional evidence.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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