The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of L4-L5 warrants a 20 percent evaluation, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5293. The appeal for an increased evaluation is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a higher evaluation as there are no findings of severe intervertebral disc syndrome or pronounced degenerative arthritis with persistent symptoms compatible with sciatic neuropathy, and the veteran's overall disability picture most closely approximates moderate impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of L4-L5
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 16, 2003
- Citation
- 0307346
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,055 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0307346.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the TDIU claim can be decided. The Veteran's service-connected back disability and other conditions are considered in determining his employability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of L4-L5 from February 27, 2015 was granted. The effective date remains to be determined.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not service connected, as it was not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service. The Board also found no evidence of a direct connection to his service-connected left knee disability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The veteran's degenerative disc disease of L4-L5 is currently manifested by pain and slight limitation of motion, which does not warrant a higher evaluation.
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