The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar disc disease does not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for more severe disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show pronounced symptoms of intervertebral disc syndrome or other neurological findings appropriate to the site of the diseased disc with little intermittent relief.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 26, 2002
- Citation
- 0203852
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 0203852.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, lumbar disc disease, and cervical spine disability based on evidence supporting an in-service onset of symptoms that have continued to the present.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for lumbar disc disease due to inadequate medical examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a new VA examination to address deficiencies in the previous examination report and to determine the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar disc disease, as well as its impact on his employability.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for lumbar disc disease was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made.
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