The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, the maximum available rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been evaluated based on its impact on range of motion and functional impairment, which is consistent with the criteria set forth in the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The current evaluation of 40 percent reflects the severity of his condition as it relates to limitation of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease, Facet degeneration
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 3, 2011
- Citation
- 1140856
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 1140856.
What this means for you
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran seeks higher initial ratings for his back disability, but the VA examinations from the period under review are inadequate. The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain an opinion as to the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's back disability during the period under review.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service and concluding that his current disabilities are more likely related to an in-service injury than to his military service.
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