The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his sacroiliac sclerosis with prolapse and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome is denied, as the evidence does not show ankylosis or physician-prescribed bedrest due to incapacitating episodes. The service connection claim for a bilateral hip disability is also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or physician-prescribed bedrest due to incapacitating episodes. The bilateral hip disability was also found not to be caused by a service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- sacroiliac sclerosis with prolapse, lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 29, 2015
- Citation
- 1542197
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 1542197.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's back brace, used to treat his service-connected lumbar spine disability, tended to wear out or tear his clothing. The Board granted an annual clothing allowance for the 2018 calendar year based on this condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome and left lower extremity radiculopathy, result in a loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board finds that the statutory and regulatory criteria for specially adapted housing are met, thus granting the benefit.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an initial disability rating higher than 40 percent for lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spondylosis with moderate-severe foraminal spinal stenosis and scoliosis to obtain a retrospective medical opinion addressing the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability from August 24, 2012, to June 24, 2020.
- Granted
The Board granted a temporary total disability rating (TTDR) for convalescence following the Veteran's March 2022 back surgeries through September 30, 2022.
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