The Board found that the veteran's low back disability at L5-S1 did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to September 23, 2002. From September 23, 2002, to September 25, 2003, it was not shown that the veteran's low back disability warranted a higher rating than 20 percent. Effective September 23, 2002, the Board granted an additional 20 percent evaluation for left leg sciatic neuralgia.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show any period of acute signs and symptoms due to intervertebral disc syndrome (IDS) that required bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician; however, it showed moderate limitation of motion as the result of pain.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 26, 2006
- Citation
- 0615587
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 0615587.
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.
- 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.
- Dismissed
The appeal of the November 2024 non-final rating decision, deferring the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis, was dismissed.
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