The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine is denied as his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability did not result in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, nor did it cause ankylosis. The Veteran also did not experience incapacitating episodes of IVDS that lasted at least one week but less than two weeks during the past year.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of Thoracolumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 13, 2023
- Citation
- 23009219
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 23009219.
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 Veteran's spine disability and radiculopathy were granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for the entire appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability have been remanded due to the need for further development. The current effective dates are not specified.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's COPD has been granted an initial compensable rating, but GERD remains rated at 10 percent.
- Partly granted
The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected post-traumatic Parkinsonism with gait disorder and a retroactive effective date.,The Board has determined that the earliest effective date for service connection of post-traumatic Parkinsonism with gait disorder should be April 24, 2002.
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