The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine disability was denied. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA were granted but with no earlier date than January 25, 2020.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on the current VA rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar/thoracic degenerative disc disease, thoracic spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 28, 2026
- Citation
- A26007949
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 A26007949.
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 has remanded the claim due to a failure to provide a VA examination and obtain an adequate medical opinion in connection with the service connection issue on appeal. The Veteran's records reflect current diagnoses of back disorders, including pain in the thoracic spine, chronic low back pain, degenerative disc disease, lumbar spondylosis, and thoracic spondylosis.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with thoracic spondylosis and lower extremity radiculopathy were evaluated at a 10 percent rating, which is the lowest available under the applicable criteria. The claims for increased ratings are denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, chronic pain syndrome, sciatic radicular pain of both legs, traumatic brain injury (TBI), shin splints of both legs, thoracic spondylosis, right shoulder strain, right wrist strain, acne, and allergic rhinitis.
- Granted
The Board grants service connection for thoracic spondylosis based on the Veteran's reported continuous back symptoms since service and resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.
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