The Veteran's lumbar facet arthropathy prior to November 14, 2022, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter is not rated higher than the current 40 percent assigned.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar facet arthropathy based on the criteria provided by the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, as his range of motion is within the limits that would warrant a higher evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar facet arthropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 8, 2023
- Citation
- 23014027
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 23014027.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for an updated VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate examinations, including those related to his lumbar spine and right leg sciatica. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.
- Partly granted
The claim for service connection for lumbar facet arthropathy can be readjudicated due to new evidence, but the claim for degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar facet arthropathy, and low back pain is denied.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, and lumbar facet arthropathy, is related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.
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