The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 29, 2021, or since then. The issue of increased rating for hemorrhoids is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations due to limitations in range of motion and functional loss, even when considering pain and flare-ups. Hemorrhoids were also remanded as an issue.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 22, 2022
- Citation
- 22041920
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 22041920.
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 Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine DJD is denied. He currently receives a 40 percent disability rating, effective November 7, 2023.,The Veteran's sciatic radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are each rated at 40 percent disabling, effective November 7, 2023.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine DJD is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, nor favorable ankylosis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine resulted in symptoms causing abnormal spinal contour or gait, with forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees and a combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for this period.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 15, 2015. The VA examiner found limited forward flexion of the spine (80 degrees) with pain and no ankylosis or severe guarding.
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