The Board determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease did not warrant a rating greater than 40 percent, as his disability was found to be productive of severe disablement but not pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome. The claim for total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability was also denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not result in more than severe disablement, which is consistent with the current 40 percent evaluation. The VA examiner found that there was no objective evidence of pain on motion correlating with subjective complaints.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 11, 2002
- Citation
- 0206119
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 0206119.
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 Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease was granted service connection. The case is remanded for a new VA medical opinion regarding the bilateral foot condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and ensuring all pertinent medical treatment records are added to the claims file.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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.