The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease was denied. He is currently assigned a 20 percent evaluation from October 17, 2005.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating prior to October 17, 2005, and only met the criteria for a 20 percent evaluation as of that date.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 6, 2006
- Citation
- 0606439
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,435 · Granted: 22% (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 0606439.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD). The Veteran's OSA is not yet service-connected.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee patellofemoral syndrome, ankylosis and instability of the right knee, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD), did not meet the minimum threshold requirements for schedular TDIU. However, she is entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from January 3, 2013 to January 2, 2014.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding lower back pain, left leg injuries, and PTSD.,The Veteran is also seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, which he contends was caused by a 2005 incident during his first period of active duty.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease was granted a 40% rating, effective from the date of decision. The Board also granted entitlement to Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) for periods prior to August 10, 2016 and from November 1, 2016.
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