The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and left foot drop with radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed no additional functional impairment due to pain, weakness, fatigability, incoordination, or flare-ups, and there were no incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome. The Veteran's range of motion was within normal limits for his condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, Left foot drop with radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 19, 2012
- Citation
- 1232228
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 1232228.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle and lumbosacral spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a 40 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the May 2013 rating decision.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a retrospective medical opinion to assess the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.
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