The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine was manifested by no more than normal range of motion with subjective reports of painful motion, tenderness and stiffness on a constant basis for the period prior to March 27, 2012. The Board found that this did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's DDD was manifested by no more than normal range of motion with subjective reports of painful motion, tenderness and stiffness on a constant basis, which did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 25, 2016
- Citation
- 1621248
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 1621248.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, but remanded the other issues for further development.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, DJD of the shoulders and knees, DDD of the lumbar spine, and bilateral radiculopathy, have rendered her incapable of providing basic care for herself. The Board has determined that she requires regular aid and attendance due to her physical and mental incapacities.
- 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.