The Board found that the veteran's lumbar DDD did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent, as his disability was manifested by complaints of back pain and objective evidence of overall moderately limited motion.
The deciding factor: The veteran's lumbar DDD resulted in no more than moderate limitation of motion, which does not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 31, 2006
- Citation
- 0615679
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 0615679.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left and right knee strain with tendinitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The TDIU claim was dismissed.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis, lumbar DDD, lumbosacral strain, and lumbar IVDS, as well as an increased rating of 50 percent from December 29, 2006 for the right fourth metacarpal fracture.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a neck condition, right knee condition, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and ankle disabilities, as there was no evidence linking them to the Veteran's active-duty service. The claim for balanitis xerotica obliterans is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease to correct a duty to assist error and obtain additional evidence.
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