The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis with degenerative of lumbar intervertebral disc and arthropathy of lumbar facet joint was rated at 20 percent, but the Board denied an increased rating as his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to limited range of motion and no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, degenerative of lumbar intervertebral disc, arthropathy of lumbar facet joint
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 3, 2023
- Citation
- 23000058
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,432 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23000058.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's need for supervision, protection, or instruction on a continuous basis due to his service-connected disabilities has been determined, granting him an increased Level 2 stipend under the PCAFC program.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis, finding that his current lumbar spine disability is related to in-service low back pain.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability as secondary to his right knee degenerative arthritis and right ankle sprain, finding that there was no medical relationship between these conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis, cervical radiculopathy of both upper extremities, thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, and lumbar radiculopathy of both lower extremities based on the evidence showing that these conditions began during and have continued since service.
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