The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied. He received a 10 percent rating prior to May 4, 2018, and a 20 percent rating from that date onwards.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes of IVDS for the period after May 4, 2018.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, sacroiliac injury/scoliosis idiopathic dextro, paraspinal tumor residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 8, 2023
- Citation
- 23014001
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 23014001.
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 TDIU claim is granted based on his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The SMC housebound and aid and attendance claims are denied due to lack of evidence showing the need for regular aid and assistance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, and acute sinusitis s/p septoplasty due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as special monthly compensation and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection for both a back disability and a psychiatric disability, finding no clear and unmistakable error in prior rating decisions.
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