The veteran's lumbar spine disability, rated at 60 percent since March 8, 2002, is the maximum schedular rating assignable for pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome (IDS). The RO found no evidence of fracture of the vertebra, complete bony fixation of the spine, or unfavorable ankylosis.
The deciding factor: The veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as it does not present any exceptional or unusual factors that would render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards.
- Claimed conditions
- recurrent low back strain, degenerative joint and disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 29, 2006
- Citation
- 0630563
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,643 · Granted: 15% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0630563.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine spondylosis and degenerative joint and disc disease, but remanded the claim of service connection for migraine headaches.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for recurrent low back strain and service connection for a right hip disability, finding that there was no persuasive evidence to support these claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected low back strain and its relationship to his current diagnoses. The issues of increased rating for recurrent low back strain and service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy are being returned to VA for further evaluation.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of lumbar spine, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.