The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine at the L5-S1 level, as the veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.
The deciding factor: The veteran's range of motion was not sufficiently limited to support a higher rating, and there were no incapacitating episodes or other factors that would warrant an increased rating under the applicable diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine at the L5-S1 level
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2009
- Citation
- 0901853
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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