The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for herniated nucleus pulposus, L4-S1 was denied. The case also addressed the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 10, 2005, but as this decision is about denial and not service connection, it does not specify a rating or effective date.
The deciding factor: The veteran's low back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IDS) or combined evaluations of orthopedic and neurological manifestations. The VA examination did not show any separately compensable neurological impairment, and X-ray and MRI testing did not indicate specific neurological pathology.
- Claimed conditions
- herniated nucleus pulposus, L4-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- June 28, 2007
- Citation
- 0719610
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 0719610.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for herniated nucleus pulposus, L4-S1 and hypertension with cardiomegaly are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.
- Granted
The veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus, L4-S1 and right hip radiculopathy were granted with a 10 percent evaluation effective October 2002. The Board found that the disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of this initial rating.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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