The VA has determined that the veteran's degenerative disk disease at L5-S1 without herniation currently results in moderate limitation of motion, warranting a 20 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows no more than moderate limitation of motion of the lumbar spine with occasional low back pain and subjective reports of pain on backward extension.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disk disease at L5-S1 without herniation, bilateral peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 5, 2002
- Citation
- 0205845
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0205845.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy as there is no evidence of a current disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities significantly contributed to his loss of use of both hands, requiring regular aid and attendance. The Board granted SMC based on this condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate was denied as he does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on one service-connected condition, and his conditions do not independently warrant SMC.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's diabetes, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, and chronic renal disease are part of a single disease process. The Board granted SMC at the housebound rate from April 21, 2023, based on his service-connected disabilities that are not part of the diabetic process.
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