The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease, L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1 has been rated at 20 percent since August 7, 2007. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was shown to have symptoms including pain, multi-level degenerative disc disease and arthritis, but no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a higher evaluation. The VA examinations did not show favorable ankylosis or forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine at 30 degrees or less.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease, L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 11, 2010
- Citation
- 1017367
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 1017367.
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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