The Veteran's disability ratings for herniated nucleus pulposus, L4-L5, with lumbosacral strain and degenerative changes are found to be appropriate under the schedular criteria. The Board has determined that referral for extraschedular consideration is not warranted.
The deciding factor: The established schedular criteria adequately account for the Veteran's disability manifestations and do not indicate an exceptional or unusual picture of his herniated nucleus pulposus, L4-L5, with lumbosacral strain and degenerative changes. The Veteran's disability does not present such an exceptional or unusual disability picture as to render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards.
- Claimed conditions
- Herniated nucleus pulposus, L4-L5, Lumbosacral strain, Degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 7, 2014
- Citation
- 1405726
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 1405726.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar spine disability prior to October 11, 2022 and since December 1, 2022. The Veteran's claim is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and a lumbosacral strain, is at least as likely as not related to his active service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a deficiency in the April 2024 VA medical examination, specifically regarding passive range of motion testing for pain.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar disorder, diagnosed as DDD and a lumbosacral strain, has been granted service connection. The Board found that the disability is related to his military service.
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