The Board granted an initial 40 percent rating for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) throughout the rating period on appeal.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less, which meets the criteria for a 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 22, 2025
- Citation
- A25091581
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 A25091581.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 7, 2018.
- Granted
The Veteran's rating for thoracolumbar DDD and DJD was reduced from 60% to 40%, effective July 1, 2020. The Board has restored the 40% rating based on evidence showing improvement in his condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran does not have a low back disorder that was incurred during his active military service and arthritis (degenerative joint disease) may not be presumed to have been.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.