The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that, prior to June 12, 2014, the disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 10 percent.,For the period after June 12, 2014, the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS was rated at 40 percent. The claim for a higher rating for his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy prior to September 24, 2013, was also denied.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine did not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 10 percent under the applicable VA rating criteria. The disability had not manifested with more severe symptoms such as listing of the whole spine to the opposite side, positive Goldthwaite's sign, marked limitation of forward bending in standing position, loss of lateral motion with osteo-arthritic changes, or narrowing or irregularity of joint space.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable VA rating criteria. The disability had not manifested with persistent symptoms compatible with sciatic neuropathy, characteristic pain and demonstrable muscle spasm, absent ankle jerk, or other neurological findings appropriate to site of diseased disc.

Claimed conditions

Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), lumbar radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

July 31, 2014

Citation

1434259

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 1434259.