The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent for the initial rating period prior to January 2, 2020 and from January 2, 2020 onwards. The Board has remanded all issues related to the entire rating period on appeal.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability resulted in at least 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 has remanded for further evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 26, 2022
- Citation
- 22054914
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 22054914.
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.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for lumbar spine arthritis and right lower extremity sciatica have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted. Additionally, the Veteran's sleep apnea has also been granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with AC joint sprain and lumbar spine arthritis are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
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