The VA denied increased ratings for the veteran's degenerative disc disease and chronic duodenal peptic ulcer disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms or medical findings.
The deciding factor: The VA found that the veteran's symptoms were adequately addressed by his current 20% disability rating under Diagnostic Code 5295 for lumbosacral strain and Diagnostic Code 7305 for duodenal peptic ulcer disease, with no evidence of severe symptoms or additional criteria warranting a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease, status post left L4-5 hemilaminectomy and diskectomy times two, Chronic duodenal peptic ulcer disease with duodenitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 7, 2001
- Citation
- 0120254
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 0120254.
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 appeal for an increased rating for left hip, the claims for entitlement to an earlier effective date and an increased rating for right knee strain, and the appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left shoulder strain were dismissed. The claim for a 40 percent rating from June 24, 2021 for degenerative disc disease was granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to a cervical spine disability due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, and scoliosis, but remanded the other issues.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease, effective November 21, 2022.
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