The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability warrants a rating of 40 percent, effective September 23, 2002. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of severe impairment or incapacitating episodes as required by Diagnostic Code 5243.
- Claimed conditions
- Mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 11, 2008
- Citation
- 0826950
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 0826950.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial rating for mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease and the claim for a TDIU prior to the Board's decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings, effective June 12, 2013. His right and left knee disabilities are now rated at 20 percent each.
- Denied
The Veteran's mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease is manifested by pain, limitation of motion, and arthritis; it does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent.
- Denied
The VA has determined that the veteran's mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.
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