The Board denied a higher initial rating for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine, as the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not manifest as forward flexion to 60 degrees or less, or a combined range of motion to 120 degrees or less, or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis, throughout the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 27, 2025
- Citation
- A25028445
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a lumbar spine disorder to obtain an addendum VA opinion that addresses the etiology of each of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorders.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, but denied increased ratings for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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