The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis was denied for the period from July 17, 2007 to April 3, 2017.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran met the criteria for a higher rating based on limited range of motion or muscle spasm and abnormal curvature of the spine during this period.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 27, 2026
- Citation
- 26002760
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 26002760.
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 Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is being readjudicated due to new and relevant evidence submitted after the April 2018 rating decision. The issue of entitlement to service connection for his claimed back condition remains on appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with spinal stenosis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis. The claims are being remanded due to a lack of contemporaneous medical records.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective February 11, 2011. Basic eligibility for Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits based on permanent and total disability status is also granted from the same date. The appeal concerning increased ratings for left knee instability prior to January 23, 2023, and left knee post-traumatic arthritis with moderate residuals is dismissed.
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