The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, thus denying his claim for an increased rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran's range of motion and symptoms were consistent with a 20 percent disability rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 21, 2009
- Citation
- 0935399
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 0935399.
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 Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2013. However, he was marginally employed from September 9, 2008 to December 31, 2012.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran is seeking service connection for psychiatric disabilities and low back issues.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis, a cervical spine disability (claimed as neck pain), and a neurologic disability of the legs (numbness and tingling). Service connection is also established for cardiovascular disability (chest pain).
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.
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