The Veteran's low back disorder is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under the provisions of Diagnostic Code 5243 for intervertebral disc syndrome. The Board finds that an evaluation in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the Veteran has neurological manifestations such as radiculopathy, sciatica, mild peripheral neuropathy, and left S1 radiculitis, which are considered part of his intervertebral disc syndrome. However, there is no evidence of muscle spasm or abnormal gait/spinal contour resulting in ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, Intervertebral disc syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 13, 2010
- Citation
- 1002103
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1002103.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent prior to January 13, 2022. Effective March 18, 2020, the Veteran is granted TDIU.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for his back disability is denied. The effective date remains March 29, 2021, as the earliest date of claim. An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the back disability from March 29, 2021, is also denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran seeks higher initial ratings for his back disability, but the VA examinations from the period under review are inadequate. The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain an opinion as to the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's back disability during the period under review.
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