The veteran's chronic low back discogenic degenerative disease is manifested by daily stiffness and pain, forward flexion limited to 30 degrees, but does not result in ankylosis of the spine, incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least six weeks during the past twelve months, or chronic neurologic manifestations. Therefore, his claim for a disability rating greater than 40 percent is denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran's low back condition does not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation under any applicable diagnostic code due to lack of evidence of incapacitating episodes or other disabling manifestations as required by Diagnostic Code 5293 (now 5243).
- Claimed conditions
- chronic low back discogenic degenerative disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 16, 2005
- Citation
- 0504144
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 0504144.
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
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- Denied
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