The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective July 28, 2003. The RO denied higher initial ratings for the lumbago, lumbar herniated disk, and lumbar osteoporosis conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbago, lumbar herniated disk, lumbar osteoporosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 18, 2012
- Citation
- 1232118
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 1232118.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied due to a lack of current diagnoses.,The Veteran has withdrawn her claims for right pretibial edema, hyperlipidemia, hypokalemia, an acquired psychiatric disorder, difficulty swallowing, and left eye cornea scarring.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar back condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right foot condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's lumbago has been manifested at its worst by forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, and no ankylosis or the functional equivalent thereof. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance for his spouse, finding that she did not meet the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.352(a) due to her ability to leave the house with assistance.
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