The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 10 percent for his lumbar spine disorder, finding that since January 1, 2002, his disability has been manifested by chronic low back pain and intermittent episodes of increased pain, weakness, and spasms without limitation of motion or evidence of incapacitating episodes.
The deciding factor: The VA found the veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating as they were mild with no indication of more severe neurologic symptomatology or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative changes at L4-5, status post laminectomy for herniation (lumbar spine disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 20, 2006
- Citation
- 0618102
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 0618102.
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 finds that the Veteran's degenerative changes at L4-5 and minimal compression fracture to T12 are related to his service.
- Denied
The Board found no residuals of an in-service back injury and concluded that the current degenerative changes are not related to service, thus denying the veteran's claim for service connection.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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