The Veteran's low back condition is rated at 40% disabling, but the original rating was 10%. The appeal seeks a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The current severity of the low back condition does not warrant an increase to a higher rating as it does not meet criteria for unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Arthritis of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 10, 2024
- Citation
- A24081985
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 A24081985.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied all claims for increased ratings, except for sinusitis which was granted a higher rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, TBI, migraines, and degenerative arthritis of the spine, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from September 11, 2014 to January 15, 2017.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his IVDS with degenerative arthritis is denied. The Board has remanded the issue due to procedural issues and potential new evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but has remanded the claim of lumbar spine disability due to a duty-to-assist error.
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