The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5243 for intervertebral disc syndrome.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation as it does not result in incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome requiring bed rest and treatment by a physician, nor does it demonstrate unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- lower back injury with chronic lower back pain and degenerative disc disease L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 9, 2013
- Citation
- 1328745
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 1328745.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's low back disability has not resulted in forward flexion of 30 degrees or less, ankylosis of the spine, any incapacitating episodes, or any objective neurological abnormalities at any time during the course of the claim and appeal.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently evaluated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher evaluation based on current symptomatology.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied. His left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensably disabling, and his lumbar spine disability remains at a 20 percent rating.
- 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.
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