The Board granted service connection for the lumbar spine disability and assigned an initial rating of 20 percent, effective December 6, 2004. The veteran's claims for service connection for hypercholesterolemia and coronary artery disease were denied.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed significant degenerative changes at L3-4 and L4-5 levels but flexion was limited to 70 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 25, 2008
- Citation
- 0820802
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 0820802.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating due to lack of incapacitating episodes and limitation of motion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination and opinion to determine the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, including any related radiculopathy. The examiner should also assess the impact of the Veteran's diminished reflexes and muscle strength on his ability to work or maintain his home.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence showing ankylosis, incapacitating episodes, or other factors warranting a higher rating.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for Paget's disease of the left knee and degenerative disc and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or service-connected conditions.
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