The Board denied entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to June 16, 2010; 20 percent from June 16, 2010, to March 19, 2024; and 40 percent from March 20, 2024, for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's disability met or approximated the criteria for higher ratings during any relevant period.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 6, 2025
- Citation
- 25006120
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a neck injury, including degenerative arthritis, IVDS, spinal stenosis, and history of spinal fusion, based on the evidence showing chronicity since service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 25, 2025 for the award of service connection for degenerative disc disease thoracolumbar spine with degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, and levoscoliosis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a back condition to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining an appropriate medical examination and associated opinion.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of the claim for service connection for a back disability based on new and relevant evidence, but remanded the issue for further development.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.