The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and S1 radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations conducted during the current appeal have shown limitation of motion with flexion up to 90 degrees and extension up to 30 degrees. There were no signs of favorable ankylosis, nor did the Veteran report any periods of total incapacity in the past year.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, S1 radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 13, 2011
- Citation
- 1134244
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 1134244.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for further development to determine if the Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ or extremity, and to consider additional functional impairments in relation to the claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of a higher disability rating for degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis is granted a disability rating of 40 percent. The ratings for radiculopathy, hammer toes, and bilateral hyperpronation are denied.
- Denied
The claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, hepatitis B, osteoarthritis with avascular necrosis left hip, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity are all denied as new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to support the Veteran's claims.
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