The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 spine with early spondylosis was granted a 10 percent disability rating, effective August 7, 2010. The appeal for an increased rating is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as his disability manifested by low back pain and muscle spasm but without severe enough impairment to result in abnormal gait or spinal contour; forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees, but not greater than 85 degrees; and combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees, but not greater than 235 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease of L5-S1 Spine with Early Spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 2, 2014
- Citation
- 1400126
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 1400126.
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
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