The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for discogenic low back pain and weakness of the left lower extremity were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed that the Veteran’s symptoms, including her back pain and leg weakness, did not warrant a higher rating based on the current level of disability as defined by VA's General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine and associated neurological criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Discogenic Low Back Pain, Left Lower Extremity Weakness
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2011
- Citation
- 1146772
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 1146772.
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 is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) effective September 23, 2019.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations and effective dates for multiple conditions. The appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal of claims by the Veteran.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for eligibility for a special home adaptation grant. The Board also granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to her service-connected multiple sclerosis and related lower extremity weakness.
- Partly granted
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to new evidence showing worsening of his service-connected disabilities. The issues include multiple sclerosis, dysthymic disorder, urinary voiding dysfunction, left upper extremity weakness, left lower extremity weakness, and history of optic neuritis.
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