The veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease with arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The RO found that the current evaluation of 20 percent is appropriate based on the symptoms described, which include pain and slight limitation of motion causing restricted activities.
The deciding factor: The veteran's symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under either the former or revised VA rating criteria for intervertebral disc syndrome or degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease with arthritis, lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 15, 2005
- Citation
- 0504049
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,421 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0504049.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
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- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
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- Whole decision: Denied
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