The Veteran's rating for thoracolumbar DDD and DJD was reduced from 60% to 40%, effective July 1, 2020. The Board has restored the 40% rating based on evidence showing improvement in his condition.
The deciding factor: The reduction of the rating was not supported by a preponderance of the evidence and restoration of the 40% rating is warranted due to objective improvement in range of motion, but no actual improvement in function under ordinary conditions of life and work.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD), thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 27, 2024
- Citation
- A24014715
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 A24014715.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 7, 2018.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial 40 percent rating for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) throughout the rating period on appeal.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease (DJD). The Veteran did not have current diagnoses of these conditions, and his claim was based on direct service connection.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease (DJD) have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for these conditions based on the current evidence of record.
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