The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbar disc herniation prior to September 1, 2010 was denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbar disc herniation remains August 4, 2005.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine due to lack of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 30 degrees prior to July 31, 2009.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar disc herniation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 22, 2015
- Citation
- 1553383
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 1553383.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 3, 2025. The rating was increased to 20 percent effective February 3, 2025.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar disc herniation with status-post discectomy L5-S1 is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether his current condition is related to an injury sustained during active duty.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar disc herniation is related to his service, granting service connection for this condition.
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