The VA has determined that the veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine warrant a 40 percent disability rating, which is the maximum assigned under current regulations. The condition does not meet criteria for higher ratings based on additional functional loss or other factors.
The deciding factor: The veteran’s low back disability has been evaluated as severe with forward flexion limited to 30 degrees and no evidence of spinal stenosis or disc herniation, which precludes a higher rating under the current VA guidelines.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 25, 2006
- Citation
- 0632993
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 0632993.
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted a 20 percent disability rating since September 27, 2021.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine secondary to a shell fragment wound, and for initial compensable evaluations for residual scars on the left axilla and buttock.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine and chronic rhinosinusitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent or 10 percent, respectively.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine are a residual of an injury sustained on August 19, 1978, during INACDUTRA.
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.