The Board found that DDD of the spine was not related to service or a service-connected condition, and denied the claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of low back strain.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show a relationship between the veteran's DDD of the spine and his service-connected low back strain.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the spine, Residuals of low back strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 25, 2004
- Citation
- 0416725
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 0416725.
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 Board granted earlier effective dates of April 20, 2019, for the awards of service connection for DDD of the spine and associated right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Veteran's spinal disability was manifested by painful motion from January 2004 to March 2007, but there is no objective evidence showing that he met the criteria for a higher disability evaluation prior to his March 2007 surgery. As such, the claim for an increased rating is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for DDD of the spine, but the case is REMANDED to obtain VA treatment records and attempt to corroborate an in-service motor vehicle accident. A new VA examination is also needed to determine if the current back disability is at least as likely as not caused by or related to active duty service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective June 22, 2007. The TDIU is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 50% disabling since March 13, 2006.
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.