The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability was not rated higher than 20 percent prior to January 22, 2009 and not rated higher than 40 percent thereafter. The other issues on appeal were also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disc Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 19, 2014
- Citation
- 1437165
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1437165.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating. The claims for increased ratings of lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU are being remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings for IBS, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and left knee iliotibial band friction syndrome with history of early medial and patellofemoral compartment arthritis to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, higher ratings for PTSD, and service connection for various conditions, while remanding several service connection claims.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.
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