The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was manifested by back pain that radiated into his hips and was aggravated by standing for long periods of time or climbing stairs. The evidence showed forward flexion to 80 degrees, extension to 5 degrees, left and right lateral bending to 20 degrees, and left and right lateral rotation to 20 degrees, all with pain. Additional functional limitation due to pain was not shown to any significant degree.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine as there were no incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician, nor did he have favorable ankylosis of the lumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 31, 2012
- Citation
- 1230192
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1230192.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine and right hip disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The effective date for DEA benefits is granted as May 1, 2014.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for his back disability is denied. The effective date remains March 29, 2021, as the earliest date of claim. An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the back disability from March 29, 2021, is also denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's low back disability and right leg radiculopathy are granted service connection, but left leg radiculopathy is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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