The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. He is currently rated at 20% for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, but does not meet criteria for an increased rating as forward flexion is greater than 30 degrees and he has no evidence of muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or spinal contour. His claims for sciatica are also denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran's disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, as his forward flexion was greater than 30 degrees and he had no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest and physician treatment.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 1, 2008
- Citation
- 0825944
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0825944.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to their death.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The lumbar spine disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date for tinnitus to September 23, 2020 and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, GERD, hypothyroidism, neck disability, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and osteoarthritis.
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