The February 1996 rating decision that denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 was supported by the evidence then of record and did not contain clear and unmistakable error.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the RO's decision was not undebatably erroneous, as there was no medical evidence supporting a higher rating at the time of the February 1996 decision.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2009
- Citation
- 0910005
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 493 · Granted: 28% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0910005.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, back injury, and bilateral knee disabilities (PFS). The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered direct findings of his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of L5-S1, claimed as mid/low back disorder. The Veteran's current diagnosis is supported by his in-service treatment records and ongoing symptoms.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity) render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU effective June 14, 2010.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.
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