The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating from April 29, 2010, but no higher. The claim for TDIU prior to March 2, 2014, was denied.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the evidence supported a 20 percent rating based on forward flexion of 60 degrees or less and functional limitations, but did not warrant a higher rating due to the lack of more severe symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 20, 2025
- Citation
- 25002503
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,500 · Granted: 29% (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 25002503.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and right knee disabilities. The claim for a back disability is granted, while the claim for a right knee disability is remanded due to insufficient rationale in supporting opinions.
- Granted
The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine from April 13, 2015 to January 7, 2019.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of March 21, 2024 for service connection to the Veteran for degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine; irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); and radiculopathy, left lower, sciatic.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for further development, including obtaining a more comprehensive VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine.
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