The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease, L5-S1 disc narrowing, and T12-S1 osteophytes is granted with an effective date of January 1, 2014.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms were consistent from January 1, 2014 until his August 2015 VA examination, warranting a 40 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease, L5-S1 disc narrowing, T12-S1 osteophytes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 4, 2022
- Citation
- 22006577
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 22006577.
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 Board has remanded the claim due to new evidence associated with the file, and the case will be reviewed by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).
- Granted
The Veteran's disability rating for thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease was restored to 40 percent effective from August 1, 2019.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease, degenerative disc disease, and chronic mechanical strain has been denied. The Board also found that a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from January 26, 2011 to October 24, 2012 is warranted.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease and left ankle injury are rated at 10% and 20%, respectively, prior to September 18, 2019. After that date, the rating for back condition is increased to 20%. Service connection for hypertension was granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.
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