The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 has been rated as 10% since July 1997. The VA examiner found that the disability results in forward flexion of less than 60 degrees, but greater than 30 degrees, without radiculopathy or intervertebral disc syndrome with incapacitating episodes. This meets the criteria for a 20% rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's forward flexion was found to be limited to 65 degrees, which is within the range that warrants a 20% evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) at L4-L5, bilaterally
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 21, 2011
- Citation
- 1146521
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 1146521.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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