The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (back disorder) is denied. The Board found that from October 2, 2017, the criteria for a higher initial disability rating have not been met or more nearly approximated.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least six weeks during the past 12 months due to intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (back disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 8, 2024
- Citation
- 24001136
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,200 · Granted: 43% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 24001136.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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