The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability warrants a 60 percent evaluation, reflecting severe degenerative disc disease with sciatica and muscle spasm.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows severe degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 with pronounced symptoms including pain on motion and intermittent relief, warranting a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease at L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- April 9, 2002
- Citation
- 0203231
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 0203231.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent from August 20, 2009 to June 3, 2015 and at 40 percent from June 3, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating based on incapacitating episodes or under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a 40% evaluation, granting the highest schedular rating for limitation of motion. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.
- Denied
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his range of motion and symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been granted and rated at the lowest possible level, with no additional compensation awarded.
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.