The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 is rated as 40 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 60 percent is warranted from June 15, 1994.
The deciding factor: The VA compensation examination showed pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome with absent ankle jerk and consistent left lower extremity radiculopathy complaints, which more nearly approximates the criteria for a 60 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5293.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease at L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 12, 2001
- Citation
- 0115977
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 0115977.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his lumbosacral spine disability was dismissed because he requested and received permission to withdraw his scheduled Board hearing.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial rating of 30 percent for headaches, denied a higher rating for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, and denied an increased rating for PTSD.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that his symptoms began during his period of active service deemed as bad conduct and therefore not eligible for benefits.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 are found to be etiologically related to active service, with the Board granting entitlement to service connection.
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