The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show functional equivalent of unfavorable ankylosis or other criteria to warrant a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2024
- Citation
- A24070445
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal of the proposed reduction in the rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease was dismissed as it is not a final action.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's low back disability, as the most recent examination report is deemed inadequate.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal for an increased rating of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease is remanded to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
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