The Board has determined that the veteran's mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine warrants a 20 percent rating, as it does not meet criteria for higher ratings. The tinea versicolor and residuals of pilonidal and sebaceous cysts are currently rated at noncompensable.
The deciding factor: The veteran's back pain is evaluated under diagnostic code 5293, which requires a 20 percent rating for moderate intervertebral disc syndrome with recurring attacks. The evidence does not support higher ratings based on more severe manifestations of the condition or other criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Tinea versicolor, Residuals of pilonidal and sebaceous cysts
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 24, 2003
- Citation
- 0307883
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,613 · Granted: 30% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0307883.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on housebound status and aid and attendance due to insufficient evidence regarding his need for regular aid and assistance.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating from June 30, 2021. The left ankle disability and tinea versicolor are denied ratings in excess of the current 10 percent. Bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.
- Dismissed
The claims regarding reduction of the disability ratings for low back strain and left knee degenerative joint disease have been dismissed.,The claim regarding reduction of the disability rating for tinea versicolor remains on appeal.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for PFB, left ankle disability, and tinea versicolor. The decision states that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.
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