The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence of moderate limitation of motion, muscle spasm on extreme forward bending, or other factors that would warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The veteran had mild limitation of motion and no signs of abnormal weight bearing. There was no evidence of severe limitation of motion, lumbosacral strain with characteristic pain on motion, or intervertebral disc syndrome to support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 15, 2008
- Citation
- 0816128
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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