The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his low back disability and TDIU due to service-connected low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and other medical records showed that the Veteran’s range of motion was limited but within normal limits, and there were no incapacitating episodes. The Board concluded that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under any diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- Herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-5
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2015
- Citation
- 1543885
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 1543885.
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 Board has granted service connection for a back condition, bilateral sacroiliac joint conditions (left and right), all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's back disability was manifested by painful motion and stiffness with thoracolumbar spine forward flexion of at worst 60 degrees, intermittent muscle spasms without abnormal gait or ankylosis. The VA examination findings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective March 8, 2010.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, effective March 8, 2010.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective March 8, 2010.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and associated radiculopathy have been evaluated at the current 20 percent rating. The evidence does not show ankylosis or limitation of motion to a degree that would warrant a higher evaluation.
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