The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with lumbar strain is currently rated at 40 percent, effective June 11, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examination revealed forward flexion limited to no less than 60 degrees and no evidence of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) or incapacitating episodes requiring treatment and bed rest prescribed by a physician, which do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease with lumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 28, 2012
- Citation
- 1233934
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 1233934.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided the first issue and denied a higher evaluation for DDD with lumbar strain. The second issue of service connection for diabetes type 2 as secondary to service-connected disabilities, including obesity as an intermediate step, is remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The issues include degenerative disc disease with lumbar strain, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and TDIU.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as he was able to secure and maintain employment in the past.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 20 percent, effective July 10, 2017. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent from August 26, 2005.
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