The Veteran's discogenic disease of the lumbar spine resulted in symptoms such as pain, muscle spasms, and limited range of motion. The RO found that a rating higher than 20 percent was not warranted prior to February 16, 2006; a rating of 40 percent from February 16, 2006 to March 9, 2006; and no higher than 40 percent after March 9, 2006. Effective July 6, 2012, the Veteran was granted a separate rating for left leg neurologic complications.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet criteria for higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes.
- Claimed conditions
- Discogenic disease of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 31, 2013
- Citation
- 1317861
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 1317861.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted a higher initial disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, effective December 19, 2011.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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