The Veteran's back disability, characterized as lumbar DDD, has been rated at 10 percent since May 2009. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to limitations in range of motion and pain, which are already considered in the current evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's back disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation as it is currently rated at 10 percent under DCs 5237 and 5243 due to limitations in range of motion. The Veteran's symptoms, including pain, are already considered in the current rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 25, 2014
- Citation
- 1452240
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 1452240.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is dismissed. The Board has remanded the claims of higher ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with DDD of the lumbar spine, and a left ankle disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions and need for additional medical examination.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for DJD/DDD of the lumbar spine and arthritis of the bilateral knees as secondary to service-connected feet and ankle disabilities. The Veteran's hearing loss is not compensable.
- Dismissed
The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for DDD of the lumbar spine and entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II.
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