The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, L5-S1 does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as it does not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less; favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine; or, incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative disc disease did not result in any additional limitation of motion that would warrant an evaluation higher than 20 percent under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries to the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease, L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 26, 2014
- Citation
- 1412652
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 1412652.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his back condition remains pending before the Board. The case is remanded due to unclear functional limitations reported in May 2021 opinion and need for clarification regarding the period of appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective October 1, 2004 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
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