The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lower back has been rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there are no findings indicating ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA examination found the Veteran's combined range of motion to be 230 degrees, short of the normal range but still meeting the criteria for a 10 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Veteran did not have any findings that would warrant higher ratings based on ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease, lower back
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 5, 2010
- Citation
- 1008267
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 1008267.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability since September 26, 2024.
- Dismissed
The appeal to reopen the previous denial of service connection for lumbosacral strain is dismissed as the benefit sought has been fully granted.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, and spinal stenosis based on the Veteran's in-service back injury and chronicity of symptoms.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence is at least equally balanced in favor of a relationship to an in-service motor vehicle accident.
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