The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 10 percent since July 29, 2009. The Board finds that the current rating of 10 percent is appropriate given the evidence showing flexion to 70 degrees and a combined range of motion not greater than 180 degrees.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic code, as there are no findings of ankylosis, muscle spasm, guarding, or incapacitating episodes. The current rating adequately reflects the functional limitations and pain associated with the condition.
- Claimed conditions
- multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 29, 2015
- Citation
- 1518531
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 1518531.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant as they do not result in anatomical loss or use of both hands, blindness in both eyes, deep partial thickness burns, full thickness or subdermal burns, or residuals of an inhalation injury.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the initial 20 percent and subsequent 40 percent ratings for service-connected multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as for service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathies.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 29, 2018. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU from March 29, 2018 was dismissed as moot.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the initial evaluations of his spine and radiculopathy conditions. The Board dismissed the case as a result.
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