The Board found that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is manifested by forward flexion to at least 58 degrees and extension to at least 15 degrees, with some numbness in the left lower extremity. The disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine did not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 30 degrees, extension of the cervical spine less than 15 degrees, combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees, or combined range of motion of the cervical spine greater than 170 degrees. The disability also did not result in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 17, 2006
- Citation
- 0635852
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,435 · Granted: 22% (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 0635852.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's hypertension, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The lumbar spine disability has also been granted but the effective date is not specified.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, lower extremity radiculopathies, and left lower extremity radiculopathy with foot drop. The issues include determining if these conditions are related to service or other factors.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 30, 2018. The Board has granted a TDIU effective July 1, 2018.
- Granted
The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of a current disability.,Left ear hearing loss is granted, with the condition being service-connected due to exposure during active duty and worsening over time.,Service connection for reflux esophagitis with hiatal hernia is granted based on symptoms that began in-service and continue post-service.,Service connection for stenosis of the cervical spine is granted as it was likely caused by service, including combat duties.,Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted due to continuity of symptomatology since service.,Chronic fatigue syndrome is granted based on symptoms that began in-service and continue post-service.
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