The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected severe lumbar DDD with severe mechanical low back pain has been denied as the evidence does not show that he meets or approximates the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 40 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability is currently rated under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5242, which pertains to intervertebral disc syndrome. The RO found that his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating as he did not have unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes of at least 6 weeks during the last 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- Severe lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) with severe mechanical low back pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 5, 2011
- Citation
- 1117443
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 1117443.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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