The VA denied a claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected spondylolisthesis, L5-S1, with spondylosis. The veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not involve pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome or unfavorable ankylosis.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the veteran's spondylolisthesis and spondylosis did not result in incapacitating episodes of at least six weeks duration, nor did they cause unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylolisthesis, L5-S1, spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 11, 2006
- Citation
- 0613786
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 0613786.
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 a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability since September 26, 2024.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, a 30 percent evaluation for femoral nerve radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), but denied an increased evaluation in excess of 40 percent for spinal stenosis and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability to obtain additional medical evidence regarding the severity of his condition without the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from March 1, 2021, and an effective date of March 1, 2021, for eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.
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