The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which represents the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5243 for intervertebral disc syndrome. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided in the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or the Incapacitating Episode Formula.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for an increased rating under either the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or the Incapacitating Episode Formula, as his symptoms do not result in incapacitating episodes or severe enough muscle spasms to affect his gait.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 30, 2010
- Citation
- 1037257
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 1037257.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for miscarriage, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right elbow disability due to insufficient examination opinions and incomplete service history verification.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as these issues have been addressed in a separate docket.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection is being remanded for the lumbar spine disability and right knee and calf disabilities.
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