The Board found that the veteran does not have a lumbosacral disc syndrome related to service or due to, or aggravated by his service-connected osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. As such, the claim for an increased rating was denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding of intervertebral disc symptoms warranting an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral disc syndrome, osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 23, 2004
- Citation
- 0410652
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,458 · Granted: 24% (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 0410652.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for scoliosis and osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, resulting in the dismissal of this case.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records from CJW Medical Center and Johnston-Willis Hospital. The claims are also remanded for issuance of an SOC regarding the effective date for a 10% rating for right foot hallux valgus.
- Granted
The Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the bilateral feet, ankles, knees, hips, and lumbosacral disc syndrome are granted as service-connected.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed all service connection appeals due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.
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