The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, postoperative scars on the back, facial scars, and GERD with hiatal hernia have all been rated at their maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Board finds that none of these conditions warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling based on limitation of motion. However, the April 2005 examination did not show any ankylosis or incapacitating episodes within the past 12 months, and the current range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, postoperative scars on the back, facial scars, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 5, 2010
- Citation
- 1000451
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1000451.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to untimely filing of the Board Appeal requests.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and remanded the claims for tinnitus, facial scars, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, GERD, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for further development.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to a prohibited concurrent election under VA claims processing rules.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for GERD, left wrist sprain, right knee strain, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claim for an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder with depressive disorder was denied.
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