The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral ankle disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine prior to November 12, 2018, or any increased rating thereafter. The same was found for the left and right ankle sprains.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's ROM did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes at any time during the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, Left ankle sprain, Right ankle sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2025
- Citation
- 25004708
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and an initial 70 percent rating, but not higher, for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress. Other claims were denied or remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity neurological disorders, and right and left hip disabilities as they were not shown to be caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service or a service-connected disability.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.
- Dismissed
The appeals for increased ratings of the Veteran's service-connected conditions were dismissed due to a procedural defect in the appeal process.
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