Throughout the period on appeal, disc degeneration and bulging disc at L5-S1 have been productive of functional limitation of flexion to 20 degrees but not ankylosis or any incapacitating episodes referable to intervertebral disc syndrome. The Veteran's disability has met the criteria for a rating in of 40 percent.
The deciding factor: The most recent VA examination confirmed that the Veteran had motion in the spine, and no evidence of ankylosis. Additionally, there were no incapacitating episodes related to service-connected disc degeneration and bulging disc at L5-S1 over the past year.
- Claimed conditions
- Disc Degeneration, Bulging Disc
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 2, 2016
- Citation
- 1603290
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1603290.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a rating of 20 percent effective September 9, 2004, and increased to 40 percent effective December 10, 2019.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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