The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability was denied. The RO increased the rating to 20 percent effective April 2006.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a higher rating based on the criteria provided in the Rating Schedule.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 28, 2011
- Citation
- 1140085
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 1140085.
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 Veteran's chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease is granted a 20% rating, effective January 30, 2017. The Veteran's surgical scar is also granted a 10% rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is related to his service-connected back disability, specifically the Motrin he was prescribed in 1998.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal for an extra-schedular rating for PTSD is denied. The issues of service connection for acid reflux and right shoulder strain are remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence of record.
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