The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant an increase in disability ratings.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability resulted in painful motion and limitation of forward flexion to 70 degrees with pain noted at 50 degrees. The medical evidence did not show greater limitation of motion than the examination findings, nor was there evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or functional equivalent of ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracic multilevel degenerative arthritis, kyphosis with levoscoliosis, lumbar spondylosis, bilateral thoracic neuritis (quiescent), spinal fusion
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 3, 2022
- Citation
- 22012438
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 22012438.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar disorder, diagnosed as lumbar spondylosis and L3-L4 disc herniation status post hemilaminectomy (s/p) right L3-4 hemilaminectomy with diskectomy. The Board found that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's current disability and his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and the need for clarification of the Veteran's service periods. The Veteran is diagnosed with lumbosacral strain and lumbar spondylosis, and the claim will be reconsidered based on new evidence.
- Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of August 14, 2024 for the award of a 40 percent rating for service-connected chronic compression fracture at T7 with lumbar spondylosis and thoracolumbar strain.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for diabetes, right hip condition, and an effective date for the increased rating of lumbar spondylosis.
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