The Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease status post decompression of L3-L4 and stabilization of L3 to L5 was not found to warrant higher initial evaluations from May 29, 1997 to September 25, 2003 or from September 26, 2003 to November 21, 2013.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria during the periods in question due to limitations in range of motion and functional impairment that were not severe enough to warrant a higher evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disc disease status post decompression of L3-L4 and stabilization of L3 to L5
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 12, 2016
- Citation
- 1627554
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 1627554.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's lumbar disability claims are being reviewed, and a new addendum medical opinion is required.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation higher than 10 percent and evaluations higher than 20 percent for his lumbar degenerative disc disease, as well as a claim for TDIU prior to November 17, 2014. The issues are being remanded due to conflicting evidence and need further clarification.
- 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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