The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were manifested primarily by significant daily lumbar stiffness, tenderness, and pain as of September 23, 2002. The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for these conditions before that date.
The deciding factor: The veteran's symptoms have been characterized by significant daily lumbar stiffness, tenderness, and pain since September 23, 2002, warranting the highest available evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5293 (previously 40 percent) effective from that date.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 14, 2004
- Citation
- 0415170
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 0415170.
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 remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy, as the record does not include all relevant treatment records prior to back surgery.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, including degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, spondylolisthesis, and compression fracture at L2, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease (DDD) prior to April 18, 2024, but the claims for increased ratings for DDD from that date and for right ankle disability were denied.
- Granted
The Board granted an increased disability rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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.