The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis from April 3, 2015, through December 4, 2018 was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis from December 5, 2018, through March 8, 2021 was also denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability ratings were based on clinical evidence showing that his range of motion and functional impairment did not consistently meet the criteria for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 9, 2024
- Citation
- 24007058
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 24007058.
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 remands the issue of entitlement to a disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis higher than 10 percent from April 3, 2015, through December 4, 2018, and higher than 20 percent from December 5, 2018, through March 8, 2021.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis, finding that it is at least as likely as not proximately due to her service-connected varicose veins in her lower extremities.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis and a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's back disability is congenital and not aggravated by service. Service connection was also denied for a thyroid disorder due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease.
- Denied
The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis was not found to meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating prior to November 10, 2009. From November 10, 2009 to March 6, 2013, he received a 10 percent rating. The 20 percent rating from March 7, 2013 to April 2, 2015 was granted. Since then, the Veteran's condition has not met or approximated the criteria for a higher rating.
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