08-28 465

Citation Nr: 1602919 Decision Date: 01/29/16 Archive Date: 02/05/16 DOCKET NO. 08-28 465 ) DATE ) ) On appeal from the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Montgomery, Alabama THE ISSUE Entitlement to an initial rating higher than 40 percent for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the thoracolumbar spine. REPRESENTATION Appellant represented by: The American Legion WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL Appellant ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD J. Hager, Counsel INTRODUCTION The Veteran served on active duty from May 2002 to May 2006. This matter initially came before the Board of Veterans' Appeals…