The veteran's low back disability was evaluated at a 20 percent rating prior to January 23, 2002 due to moderate recurring attacks of intervertebral disc syndrome or moderate limitation of motion.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent based on the veteran's symptoms and range of motion before January 23, 2002.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease at L4-L5
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 5, 2006
- Citation
- 0616352
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 952 · Granted: 17% (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 0616352.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 and radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves was granted, with specific ratings assigned. The Veteran also received a TDIU determination prior to December 23, 2016.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an increased evaluation for degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 and associated radiculopathies due to incomplete examination findings. The Veteran is also being asked to provide a TDIU determination based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial compensable evaluations for his service-connected degenerative disc disease at L4-L5, associated radiculopathies of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities, and femoral nerves in both lower extremities are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is intertwined with these issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim for a back disability due to insufficient medical evidence and potential errors in previous examinations. The Veteran's current conditions are being evaluated further by VA.
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