The Veteran's multi-level degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to July 8, 2013, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter.
The deciding factor: VA determined that the Veteran's disability warranted higher ratings based on the severity of his condition as per VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Multi-level degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2015
- Citation
- 1552610
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 1552610.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
For the period of appeal prior to November 29, 2015, the Veteran's multi-level degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,For the period from November 29, 2015, the Veteran's multi-level degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine met the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and for extension of a temporary total rating following surgery. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 40 percent disabling under DC 5237, which requires forward flexion to be at least 30 degrees or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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