The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Codes 5003-5237. The RO denied the claim for a compensable evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that throughout the applicable period, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability manifested by subjective complaints of pain with increased activity but with objective findings of full range of motion and no additional limitation following repetitive motion. There is no x-ray evidence of degenerative arthritis, evidence of ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or evidence of incapacitating episodes of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDS).
- Claimed conditions
- mild degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- May 21, 2015
- Citation
- 1521973
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 1521973.
What this means for you
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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 service connection for irritable bowel syndrome has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for mild degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine (claimed as chronic back pain) is being remanded to determine if her MOS as an Ammunition Specialist caused her current condition.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's back and left ankle disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher ratings, but his service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective September 25, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus the TDIU claim is denied.
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