The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome, with neurological findings related to the site of the diseased disc and with little intermittent relief.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's complaints of pain and numbness in the lower extremities were not accompanied by demonstrable neurologic findings such as muscle spasm or absent ankle jerk, which are required for a higher rating under the pre-amended intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) regulations. The evidence did not show pronounced IVDD.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 9, 2010
- Citation
- 1021407
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 1021407.
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 withdrew his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral diabetic neuropathy.
- Dismissed
The Board denied the veteran's appeal for timely filing of an appeal request, dismissing the attempted appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disorders, including a lumbar spine disorder, left elbow disorder, and others, to correct duty to assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disorder due to a need for an additional medical opinion.
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