The veteran's low back disability, characterized by degenerative disc disease and disc herniation at L3-L4, is currently rated at 40 percent. The Board has determined that the current rating of 40 percent is appropriate, as it represents the maximum schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Codes 5293.
The deciding factor: The veteran's disability meets the criteria for a 60 percent evaluation based on severe intervertebral disc syndrome with persistent symptoms compatible with sciatic neuropathy and little intermittent relief.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease, disc herniation at L3-L4
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- July 19, 2004
- Citation
- 0419383
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 0419383.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability since September 26, 2024.
- Dismissed
The appeal to reopen the previous denial of service connection for lumbosacral strain is dismissed as the benefit sought has been fully granted.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, and spinal stenosis based on the Veteran's in-service back injury and chronicity of symptoms.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence is at least equally balanced in favor of a relationship to an in-service motor vehicle accident.
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